In times of trouble, it is hard to find relief. Life can get out of hand so fast that we don’t even know where it all started. We thought we had a good job and then we get a bad review and realize that we haven’t done as well as we thought. Thoughts of disappointment may fill our minds. For we thought we were doing well and now it seems like we didn’t know a thing. Thoughts of uncertainty can come into our heart. This can lead us to question if we are good enough. These thoughts of grief can spiral down quickly. Even today, these thoughts came to my mind. I began to be depressed and unloved. My heart was sinking inside my soul. I had felt so strong but then, in that moment, my heart was shattered. But then I realized that my wife, kids and God still cared for me. This led me to confide in God and read in psalm 31, 1“Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief.” In these dark times, I was given a glimmer of hope for I knew God loved me. I was encouraged that God could raise me up. My strength may have failed me but through God’s goodness it was returning. Though, family and friends have turned from me, I trust in God to help mend my broken relationships. My heavy heart is already turning from sadness into joy for Jesus loves me. Jesus came to fill me up with His love.
You may think that people and God don’t love you but that is untrue. People can betray us but God cares for you more than you will ever know. Come to the Lord and you will discover His great love. People can betray us but God will never stop loving us. He loves us so much that any brokenness in our life, He can mend. If you are willing to hear His counsel and follow Him, then He will find ways, through you, to bring love back into your relationships. Even jobs can get better as we abide in the ways of the Lord. Each day is different. Some days are better than others. We can be happy for many days and then something may happen and sadness kicks in. At this moment, we can either let our feelings eat at our souls or take these thoughts to God. As David prayed, pray also, 1“My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.” There is so much the Lord can do for us, if we seek Him. He loves us so much to help us get through the hard times. He doesn’t want us to spend our days in grief and depression. He also doesn’t want us to fall victim to sin. Guilt can lead us to repentance but He doesn’t want us to live in this fashion. Give all your shame and grief to Jesus, who died for Your sins on the cross. Ask the Lord for forgiveness. He can make you new, once again.
1Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I trust in You. Even in my darkest times, I may feel shattered but I come to You. I will remember You when times are hard. Life can weigh me down but You never fail me. Things happen that bring me sadness but all You do is give me peace. You continue to take my sadness and turn it into gladness. You take all my worries and calm my soul. I may be weak but You make me strong. How kindness is the Lord on High. Your goodness endures forever. Your mercies never fail me. You continue to lift me up. I am stronger when You are with me. Thank You for Your great love and affection for me. I am amazed by Your mercy and grace. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
Psalm 31:9-16 (KJV)
9 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.