Jesus made seven “I am” statements in the Gospel of John: I am the bread of life, I am the light of the world, I am the gate for the sheep, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way and the truth and the life, and I am the vine. With these declarations, Jesus went to great lengths to clarify His mission and to help the people understand that He is the Messiah. He is the Light in the darkness.

Some of life’s worst experiences serve as our greatest lessons. Through our struggles, we learn to trust, to have faith and to recognize God’s touch in our lives. Every Christian has a faith story—that “Aha!” moment when they first experienced God’s divine love. When we share how our faith has helped us through tough times, we share His love and offer comfort to those who need a boost of hope.

Life inevitably has its share of ups and downs and unknowns. But when you trust in Jesus, and believe that He is attentively keeping watch and taking care of you, you develop a strong sense that no matter what is happening, everything will be okay. Your faith will calmly steer you through life’s storms.

God’s purpose for you is far greater than you can imagine, far greater than your own happiness or peace of mind. To discover your purpose, turn to His Word. Spend time deepening your faith. Each day, nurture those around you, find joy in everything you do and never forget how important your life’s work truly is.

If you’re facing decisions in your life—big or small—and you need to hear from God, turn to Samuel’s prayer in today’s verse. Quiet your mind and wait for His wisdom. Consider whether you’re listening for God’s voice in your life.

Things of this world, no matter how lovely and desirable will never fill the void in your heart. Only God satisfies the spirit. If you seek a life of goodness, make your faith your first priority. Read God’s Word, spend time in prayer and praise Him for the peace and contentment He provides.

Some things in life are beyond understanding. If you find yourself asking God, “Why did this happen?” Instead of straining to see meaning or look for answers, recognize that wisdom and growth take time. Have faith and trust God’s plan.

The Old Testament has many instances of God’s followers experiencing hardship and learning life lessons the hard way. However, today’s verse shows that God is merciful. His teaching is clear and simple: sin leads to pain and obedience leads to blessing. When you take this lesson to heart, you spare yourself difficulties and experience His grace.

Just as a cool glass of water refreshes you on a hot summer day, Jesus the Living Water is the One who satisfies your spirit. When you feel drained, or out of sorts, reach out to Him. Ask Him to quench your spiritual thirst with His life-giving Spirit.