In the Paula Hawkins novel, The Girl on the Train, one of the characters spots some graffiti painted on a concrete building—LIFE IS NOT A PARAGRAPH.   

We ought to take to heart the wisdom in that statement. Too often we place too much emphasis on an extremely brief part of our lives in which we suffered a great loss, or made a terrible mistake or committed an awful sin. Life is not a paragraph; it is much more than that. In the course of the story of our life, the bad moments are followed by many good ones.

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” When we read this verse, we usually think about the brevity of life. But might this Scripture also be reminding us of the fact that our lives can have many days? Many days to recover from that setback. Many days to set things straight. Many days to make up for that mistake. Many days to grow stronger, wiser and more mature. Many days to do it right next time.

Thank God that life is not a paragraph!

Notice how Psalm 90 concludes—“Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” (vv.15-17).