I hadn’t planned to write any of this. I was reading my Bible this morning, and happened to start with Psalm 40. It ripped my heart open, and I started typing (and occasionally crying). It was so heavy, and I felt such a burden, I had to share this with you. Now. Without going through a normal editing cycle and making it all perfectly clean and polished.
Some of you may be fine, and this may not be for you. But there’s someone God needed to reach through this, and I pray they find it. Please share this if you know of someone who’s going through a hard time.
None of us make it through unscathed.
Loved ones die, sometimes much too soon.
Family and people you used to call friends betray you.
Spouse’s hurtful words and actions cut right through to your soul.
Miscarriages and the loss of babies. Feelings of joy and expectations of new life suddenly ripped from your heart.
Lost jobs and careers…
Money problems…
Difficult or wayward children…
Cancer…
Parents falling ill or slipping into dementia…
Mistakes we make…
People we hurt…
Regret…
Loneliness…
Anxiety…
Feeling like you have no purpose…
Depression…
Pain and scars
We all have them. Many put on a mask and try to make everything appear normal, like everything is fine. Some even seem to thrive in the midst of struggles, and some of them really do.
Some have figured out how to navigate the hurts and pains of this life without allowing bitterness to take root and poison their heart and soul.
But many have not.
You hide behind phony smiles and shallow responses, behind social media pics and posts showing the highlight reel of your life, hoping no one can see through the facade. All while secretly hoping someone will notice. Hoping someone will care. Hoping someone will help.
Friend, it’s time to drop the mask. It’s time to ask for help.
I was reading Psalm 40 this morning in the VOICE translation, and was struck with the thought that many of you are going through something hard right now. Something that makes you feel so isolated and alone. Something that has you questioning your faith.
First, I want to say that you’re not alone. You’re not weird. And you’re not the only one hurting right now.
I don’t want to turn this post into a theological debate about a fallen world and why God allows certain things to happen. That discussion never helps anyone.
All I know is that bad things happen, and it’s much better to go through them with God than without Him. Jesus never said that we wouldn’t go through hard things. Actually, he promised the opposite.
In John 16:33 (NLT) Jesus said “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows…”
Being a Christian doesn’t exclude you from the hardships that come with life on this Earth. It rains on both the just and unjust.
But thankfully that’s only half of the verse. He goes on to say “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” He is here to bring us restoration, peace, hope, and freedom!
“1 I waited a long time for the Eternal;
He finally knelt down to hear me.
He listened to my weak and whispered cry.
2 He reached down and drew me
from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay.
With a gentle hand, He pulled me out
To set me down safely on a warm rock;
He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again.
3 As if that were not enough,
because of Him my mind is clearing up.
Now I have a new song to sing—
a song of praise to the One who saved me.
Because of what He’s done, many people will see
and come to trust in the Eternal.” Psalm 40: 1-3 (VOICE).
God will bring you through. He’ll pick you up out of the quicksand and gently place you on firm ground. He’ll hold you steady until you can get back on your feet.
It may not be in the timing that you want, but He is always faithful.
Hold on. Pursue and seek Him. Ask for His help. Let go of those things, those burdens, those pains you’ve been holding onto!
If this message is for you, or you know someone who’s struggling, please read through Psalm 40. Then begin to pray these words over yourself (or your friend):
“11 Please, Eternal One, don’t hold back
Your kind ways from me.
I need Your strong love and truth
to stand watch over me and keep me from harm.
12 Right now I can’t see because I am surrounded by troubles;
my sins and shortcomings have caught up to me,
so I am swimming in darkness.
Like the hairs on my head, there are too many to count,
so my heart deserts me.
13 O Eternal One, please rescue me.
O Eternal One, hurry; I need Your help.
…
17 I am empty and need so much,
but I know the Lord is thinking of me.
You are my help; only You can save me, my True God.
Please hurry.”
I won’t pretend that this is easy. It’s not. It’s hard. But I promise that if you reach out to Him, you’ll find He is right there with you, and He’ll help you through.
Sometimes He heals you in solitude, and sometimes He works through others. Often it’s a mixture of both.
If you’re struggling with something and feel like you have no one to turn to, we’re here. Please reach out. Let us know what you’re going through, and how we can pray for you.
Even if it seems small, or you justify it saying other people are going through worse things…pain is pain, and we need each other.
Leave a comment below if you feel safe, or email kristen through our Contact page.
We’re also building an online community in a closed Facebook group of like-minded people. People who are on the same journey, the same path. People who love Jesus and love others. People who are struggling with things and need help. People like you. Head over here and join! This is different from our public page. We’re wanting to connect you with others and help build community!
