Finding Joy in the Pain
I don’t know what brought you here, but I want to meet you wherever you are. Take a deep breath, and let it come to the surface.
The lonely ache, or the raw wound, or the simple wish to weep - feelings that are so human but also so very God. God has felt the things you’ve felt. He wants to hold your hand and feel it with you.
Sometimes you don’t need someone to give you advice about how to “feel better,” but rather someone who will sit with you through that pain.
God is that person. God is here, even if you don’t sense Him. I know sometimes you’re just too tired to be joyful like we’re called to be. The most tangible way you can hold onto Him is His Word. His promises to hold you and keep you in your worst moments. His vow is to always be with you, to the very end of the age.
I want to leave you a few Scriptures that have helped me when I lie awake at night, when my mind is my own worst enemy. His promises gave me hope, and they can give you hope, too.
I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. - Psalm 139:11-12
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. - 2 Corinthians 4:17
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. - Psalm 42:11
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
Find your Scripture that helps you sit with God. It could be any of the verses given to you here, or perhaps you already have one of your own. You can tap into that power of God’s promise every day, every minute, or every hour that you need it as you wait for your joy. As you wait for another day.