God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lifes 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 labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials,help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
~Annie Johnson Flint, 1919