The day closed and the lights turned off for the night. I breathed a sigh and a prayer – “God, why must there be so much sorrow?”  The sadness was not for myself, but for many around me that were going through hard times.
in the morning, I sat for an hour in a jail visiting room with a man who made a choice in a moment and now sits in a cell awaiting trial. As I prayed with him, tears welled up in my eyes.
Another friend told me of financial hardship and ongoing constant pain, and I hurt with that one.
Another shared disappointment with an adult child who has chosen to be distant.
Another reported the death of a relative that was expected yet still bringing grief and loss.
More pictures of devastation of war filled my news feed.

 … and that was just one day!

I am well aware of the promises of God found in the Holy Word, passages like this from Isaiah: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (41.10) I am thankful that, yet sometimes the sorrow is crushing, seeming to be too much to bear.

There are several choices to be made when life hurts, when the ache of the soul hangs on, that help us to renew ourselves and find the ‘joy of the Lord.’

First, choose reality over denial!
So many Christians put on a smile and cheerful face while pretending that all is well. The pain of their heart is papered over with favorite Bible verses and churchy cliches. If asked if they are hurting, they are quick with the ‘right’ answer, unwilling to admit to life’s pain.

Second, remember that what you feel is part of the common human experience!
How easily we are convinced that no one has ever felt the fear, the loss, the rejection, the doubt, the sadness which we are living in at the moment. That quickly can turn us into a victim, or worse, to begin to believe that we must have done something terrible and are being judged by God. In the long run that person risks cutting herself off from the very God that is her comfort.

Third, find a friend!
The ideas that we have to ‘go it alone,’ that ‘big boys don’t cry,’ that we must soldier on alone are just wrong. God created us for community. It has been said thousands of times but it is none-the-less true -working to build a network of friends returns the richest rewards. When we are living under sunny skies and with plenty of resources we may tempted to ignore serving with others, spending time listening and loving, but if we do, we will find ourselves without a friend that can be that ‘bridge over troubled waters.’

Fourth, choose to worship God!
The Bible talks about a sacrifice of praise. When life hurts it can be difficult to look up and thank God that He is bigger than this day, this trouble, this hardship but it will make a difference. There are so many ways to do this. Perhaps you can find a quiet place and pray. Surely you can go to a church and join the formal worship experience. Just maybe you are prompted to worship with a beautiful song.
Psalm 73 records the lament of a man whose disappointment was painful. It nearly broke him. He says “When I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache … Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture.”  (73, The Message) He finishes his song saying- “As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” (73.28 NIV)

Are you sorrowful? Does life just hurt today? I do care and I wish I could sit with you for a while. Deal with it, endure it, wait through it.

The word from the Word comes from ancient preacher. The older I get, the more I appreciate this wisdom. May it give you hope today.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”  (Habakkuk 3:17–18)

Why? How can we rejoice in such circumstances?

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to go on the heights.”  (Habakkuk 3:19)

Make the God who reigns YOUR strength.