The word “keep” is most associated with protection, guidance, and safety. When bad things happen to us, our friends, and even in the world around us, we may sometimes struggle with faith in God. While we can’t grasp the complexities of God’s movements, we can trust He keeps us in ways we don’t always notice.• How often is the irritating delay in our schedule or detour in our travels a sovereign work of God to protect us from harm?• Could a desperate prayer that seems to go unanswered be an act of mercy to save us from greater heartache?• Are frustrated plans an invitation to a deeper relationship with the Lord of the universe? God isn’t deaf to our pain and hasn’t ignored our pleas. Instead, there are times when He allows our discomfort and exasperation to push us forward toward spiritual strength and endurance. While we might focus solely on what seems to be missing, His intent is so much greater and far reaching than the simple end to our difficulties. His keeping hand encourages perseverance and matures us through the difficulties so that in the end, we are “perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4 NKJV).