The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. --Psalm 28:7

Billy Bray, the great Methodist evangelist, was saved from a terrible life of drunkenness and sin. After his conversion, he experienced one trouble after another, but he never ceased praising and praying to the Lord.

He came to a place in his life where all he had to eat was a dish of very small potatoes, which a friend had given him. Billy bowed his head to offer thanks when he suddenly thought to himself: How can you thank God for such small potatoes? But out loud, Billy replied, "Go away, Satan—when I was serving you, I had no potatoes at all!"

The Bible tells us that Joseph experienced difficulties as well. He was forced into slavery and put in prison for a crime he didn't commit. But in the midst of it all, He honored God, praised Him, and was thankful for the path God had taken him down. Scripture says, "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor" (Genesis 39:20-21). As a result of his trials, the Lord raised Joseph up to rule over the land of Egypt under Pharaoh.

Life's struggles can be difficult at times. And when it seems that there is no money left for food, no cure for the illness, and no one else who cares, our sovereign God is in control and taking care of you each and every day. Psalm 42:11 says to "put your hope in God" and praise Him because He's "Savior and God." In all things, we are to praise the Lord—even for the small potatoes!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: When facing trials, ask God to show you the blessings in the small things He's given you. Ask Him to increase your hope and trust in Him and thank Him for supplying all your needs.

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