Psalm 39:4-5 — Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.

How are things going for you? Is life good? Maybe life is tough?
Helen Steiner Rice’s poem might not be great art — but it teaches the essential lesson of life …

If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be

If I can remain calm and quiet with all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me when everyone else seems to doubt me

If I can but keep on believing what I know in my heart to be true,
That darkness will fade with the morning and that this will pass away, too

Then nothing in life can defeat me for as long as this knowledge remains, I can suffer whatever is happening for I know God will break all of the chains

That are binding me tight in the darkness and trying to fill me with fear
For there is no night without dawning And I know that my morning is near.

Every Christian knows, in his heart of hearts, that whatever happens in this life is two things — a learning opportunity, and a prelude to eternal life.
The challenge, of course, is that it’s easy in the abstract — easy to know that this life is temporary and eternity is … well … eternal. When it comes to real life it’s harder. It’s easy to believe the good times will roll forever or to forget that even all bad things come to an end.
The Psalmist reminds us that it’s not always even “in the long run” — we are frail, and our days are but a hand breadth … The theme, or variants of it occurs elsewhere in the Psalms:

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:9-10)

There is a limit to our lifespan. Day by day that thought should motivate us to make the best use we can of every moment, and give us courage and strength to endure through any difficulties.

That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. (Psalm 104:28-28)

During life we can — indeed we must — depend on God’s provision. We need to know, too, that we must depend on — but not resume on — that provision that can end at any moment.
Scripture gives us the assurance of eternity … And reminds us of the brevity of earthly life. So whatever you’re living today, remember “This too shall pass”.