Matthew 27:45-46 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.  46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) (NIV)

1. Choose to be real while still being reverent.

Matthew 11:28-29  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NLT)

1 Peter 5:5-9 - “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. (NLT)

2. Choose to rest in what you do understand as you wrestle with what you don’t understand yet.

Isaiah 55:8-9 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (NIV)

Psalm 143:1, Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief (NIV) Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (NIV)

Psalm 119:68 - You are good and do only good. (NLT)

3. Choose ultimate over immediate. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)

Romans 8:18 -  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (NIV)

Romans 8:28 -  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[b] have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

4. Choose to worship rather than worry.

Psalm 142:1-2 I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. (NIV)

Psalm 22:22-24 - “I will proclaim your name to my brothersand sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. 23 Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.” (NLT)

Psalm 34:1-3 - I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.[a] 2 I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. (TLB)

Hebrews 12:28-29. 'Since we are receiving a kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshipping him with holy fear and awe, 29 For our God is a devouring fire.' (NLT)