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"So what's the big news?" I asked my best friend, Ben*, over the phone. I was working as a lifeguard at a Christian camp, and I'd just hung up with a girl from back home. Cassie wasn't my girlfriend—not yet, anyway. We liked each other, though, and planned to consider dating after I got back from camp. As we were saying goodbye, she casually mentioned that Ben had something important to tell me. So I called him right away.

"Well … it's kinda good for me and bad for you," Ben replied slowly. "I broke up with my girlfriend this week."

An uneasy feeling crept inside me. "How is that good for you?" I asked.

"I have a new girlfriend."

My stomach dropped. I didn't want to ask, but I had to. "Who?"

He said her name. The girl who'd just spent the last 30 minutes telling me how much she missed me and how she couldn't wait to hang out when I got home.

I tried to say something to Ben, but no words came. I could barely breathe. I finally managed to say "bye" and hung up.

How could they do this to me? Ben had been my best friend since my family moved to the area six years ago. He was the first one I'd told I liked Cassie. He specifically said he wasn't interested in her. And I wondered how Cassie could act like everything was just fine between us.

The next morning I welcomed the distraction of watching kids swim in the lake. But the minute I was off duty, the anger and hurt returned full force. I wandered onto the field where campers play capture the flag and ultimate Frisbee. It was empty. I flopped in the grass and stared at the sky. Betrayed. That's how I felt.

Later that night at a campfire the chaplain encouraged campers to share testimonies of how God had worked in their lives that week. I stared into the fire and thought about all these kids who'd been watching me mope. As a staff member, I knew I had a big influence on them. How can God use me to impact them in a positive way?

Slowly, I stood. Everyone turned to look at me, their faces glowing in the bonfire light.

"Life stinks sometimes," I began. "But when the bad times come along, just remember God is there for you. Always. Remember his promise that all things work together for the good of those who love him."

When I sat down I felt a wave of peace wash through my entire body. All my tension melted away. The storm of thoughts that had raged through my mind vanished. I wanted them to return. I even tried to get mad.

I have a right to be mad, I thought. But it was no use. I couldn't make myself feel angry again. Instead a passage from Philippians came to mind.

"Do not be anxious about anything … Present your requests to God … The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (4:6-7, NIV).

I hadn't specifically asked God for help. I'd been so upset I'd forgotten to pray. But maybe he counted what I'd said to the campers as a prayer. He knew I needed to be reminded of his promise just as much as they did. Maybe more.

As we prepared to head home the next day, I thought about how I'd react when I saw my friends at church on Sunday. But I wasn't worried anymore. Or angry. That peaceful feeling I'd felt at the campfire remained. I knew no matter what happened with Ben and Cassie, God would help me through it.

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