May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you. (Ps. 25:21)
It is hard to understand the pain and suffering of others. When my mom passed away, many well-meaning individuals said all the wrong things. They wanted to comfort me by saying that it was God’s will, or she lived a good life, or God’s got me. And while all of those words may have been nice and true, they did not help alleviate the sorrow that was in my heart. My mom’s death was hard. And the only person I could truly turn to was God. I took him my pain, anger, frustration, and sorrow, and then I put all my trust in him to make things better. He was faithful then, and he is still faithful today when life’s circumstances become overwhelming.
The psalmist took all his emotions to God. There was the pain he experienced due to persecution and the anger from fighting his enemies. And yet, despite the circumstances he faced, the psalmist understood that our hope must lie in God. Thus, he remained true and committed to doing the will of God, because he knew God would remain true and faithful to him.
When we willingly turn our authentic emotions to God, he meets us in the space of all we are feeling. We can trust him to be there for us, but first we must trust we can run to him.
Lean into the power of God during your troubles.
Tara Klein is a Wesley Seminary [IN] graduate who enjoys relaxing with her family, serving others, and sharing God’s unconditional love with the lost and broken-hearted.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
