You lost your job.
Your house burned to the ground and everything was destroyed.
You lost a friend or family member in a accident.
You were betrayed by a friend or relative and the relationship is permanently strained.
Our world is unpredictable, unfair, and frequently not easy to cope with. We feel like our lives are going well and then, out of nowhere, tragedy strikes. Your world will never be the same. It can feel nearly impossible to deal with the intense feelings of sadness, loss, or mistrust.
Our God is a loving God who is a “refuge” in times of trouble. The peace in our hearts that comes from trust and belief in our Father is unimaginable. We are incapable of ridding ourselves of earthly feelings of sadness and loss if we focus on forgetting them through our own doing. If we try to fight through tribulations without the assistance of our Father, it can be next to impossible.
How can you be ok when it does not seem like you should be ok? How can you have hope, cope and be positive when your world is collapsing around you?
As a Christian, we believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins. We know that the world we live in now is not the world we will live in forever. The pain we feel now is “temporary.” The years of tribulations felt on earth seem like an eternity. It may seem like the suffering on this earth drives us to question the existence of a God. But we know that our salvation comes from faith in our Lord.
Prophets and apostles tell us throughout the Bible that God is with us, no matter how awful or difficult the situation.
Anxiety: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Sadness: He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
Fear: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
Trust: One who has unreliable friends soon come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
Temptation: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind, and God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
We worship a loving God who provides us solace and peace at the most trying times. All we have to do is ask for the Holy Spirit to move our hearts and minds to peace. God cares about your burdens and wants to resolve the conflict and sadness in your heart. Just ask Him for strength and guidance.
Lord Jesus. Help us to turn to you in times of trouble and need. You are our refuge and strength and we should not take on our burdens without you. We know this world is temporary and we long for the day when we can be with you in Heaven. Amen
