God hath not promised skies always blue,
flower-strewn pathways
all our lives through.
God hath not promised sun without rain,
joy without sorrow,
peace without pain.
God hath not promised
we shall not know
toil and temptation,
trouble and woe.
He hath not told us
we shall not bear
many a burden,
many a care.
God hath not promised
smooth roads and wide;
swift, easy travel
needing no guide.
Never a mountain,
rocky and steep,
never a river,
turbid and deep.
But God hath promised
*Strength for the day,*
rest for the labor,
Light for the way.
Grace for the trials,
help from Above,
unfailing sympathy,
undying love.
--Annie Johnson Flint