George Frederick Handel, the great musician, lost his health; his right side was paralyzed; his money was gone; and his creditors seized and threatened to imprison him. Handel was so disheartened by his tragic experiences that he almost despaired. But his faith prevailed. In his affliction, he composed his greatest work, The Hallelujah Chorus, which is part of his great, Messiah.

The list is long of those who have overcome handicaps and gone on to achievement and success through trust in the Lord. Annie Johnson Flint, afflicted with pain and suffering, wrote the much used “He Giveth More Grace,” and many other wonderful poems. Fanny Crosby was blind but composed more than 8,000 published hymns. Helen Keller, shortly before her sixteenth birthday, expressed pity for the real unseeing, for those who have eyes still often do not see. She said, “If the blind put their hand in God’s, they find their way more surely than those who see but have not faith or purpose.”

What has been the secret of these conquerors?

They have understood that God is still in charge of the future. Refusing to be defeated by their fears, they have dared trust Him to accomplish great things in spite of their problems. And He has rewarded their faith.

Some choose to major on their problems, drawing back from contacts with other people and choosing the imprisonment of fear. Perhaps you are one of them. What a good day to place your future in the hands of the Unfailing One. He will not forsake you.

And you will not fail!