Be still, my soul

THY JESUS CAN REPAY FROM HIS OWN FULNESS
ALL HE TAKES AWAY.

These words have been floating around in my head for the past eight months, and I think they're as fresh today as they were then. How beautiful is my God that he gives me what I need and not what I want, that he calls us to bear our crosses after him, that we're called to love, worship, and adore even if it means screaming on our knees. This past year I've found Jesus to be so much more than I could have imagined a year ago, and I would not know that today except in God's mercy he took away a desire of my heart.
Here's another of my favorite hymns that I think is really connected to the lines above: Its by william Cowper, a man who struggled with his faith for his entire life.

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord, who rises with healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say,
Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing but He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe His people, too;
Beneath the spreading heavens, no creature but is fed;
And He Who feeds the ravens will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.

I CANNOT BUT REJOICE! In Jesus I have the wonderful, most difficult task of finding the joy set before me in very grim spots.