Joshua 4:20-22 – And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.'" (NIV)

One of the ways I cope in difficult situations is to remind myself Who God is and how He has shown up for me in the past. These are three of my treasured touchstone memories.

Anointing: As I trudged to work one morning feeling overwhelmed by what was waiting for me at the office, I had a sensation of oil being poured over the top of my head. I tried to wipe away the drips but there was nothing there. I assumed my mind was playing tricks on me. But then, it happened again the next morning, and this time, the sensation was unmistakable. It felt like God was anointing me — assuring me of His presence and encouraging me.

Healing: Someone stood up at church one Sunday and said they felt the need to pray for someone dealing with a neck and shoulder issue. I knew it was me because I had a very painful pinched nerve in my neck. The pastor and a couple of other people gathered around me and prayed for healing. I was healed immediately — completely and supernaturally. I was in awe and so grateful.

Direction: I felt I needed to retire from a job I found miserable but was worried about finances and unsure whether I could afford to. I woke up suddenly one morning with the same severe pain in my ankle that I had had from a bad sprain a couple of months previously. It had mysteriously returned. I couldn't walk and had to stay home from work. God spoke to me that day and made clear His will for me to retire. He brought to mind the story of Jacob and how he wrestled with God and his hip was wrenched. My ankle was like Jacob's hip. That Sunday, I was looking for confirmation, and sure enough, the sermon was about Jacob, and we sang the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness". The words "All I have needed Thy hands have provided" jumped out at me. I put in my notice immediately, and on the third day of my retirement, I was blessed with an offer of lucrative part-time contract work which suited me perfectly. God had made a better path.

Looking back, many of us see the hand of God at work in our lives. In the same way that Joshua collected twelve stones as a memorial to the parting of the river Jordan, we collect our own touchstones. They assure us that God sees us, that He cares for us, and that He is faithful. Whatever we are facing right now, we know that He's got this.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, thank You for our powerful touchstone memories. Bring them to mind in times of trouble so that we are reminded of Your love and faithfulness. Amen.