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People’s hearts are hurting. They’re living with broken lives, shattered dreams and seemingly hopeless circumstances.
I recently talked to a woman who had lost her husband after 30 years of marriage. What’s a girl to do when part of who she is has gone home to be with Jesus?
Another woman shared with me how tired she is of being single. Her heart is aching for God to give her a husband. And what’s a girl to do when she longs to be a wife but there’s no man in sight?
A sweet mother recently poured out her heart about how much she misses her son who died two years ago. Another mom lost her baby before she ever took her first breath. How does a mother walk back into their child’s room and know they’ll never hear their voice again or never hear it at all?
Today, I read a Facebook post about a woman who is walking through the final days with her dad. Oh, how I remember just a few short months ago when I walked the same street of death with my mom and the pain of watching her take that final road alone.
Recently, I heard from a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer. It has spread to her bones, her speen and her lymph nodes. That woman is my birthmom.
Many mothers soak their pillows at night and wear holes in their carpet with their knees as they cry out for the Living God to save their wayward children. Moms are praying for their prodigals. How do mothers continue to hope against all hope that their children will one day walk in the truth?
Every day, people hear the doctor say, “It’s terminal” or “There’s nothing we can do” or “She’ll be a vegetable if we leave her on life support” or “It’s not treatable – you’re going to have to learn to live with the pain.” How do you go on knowing tomorrow may not come? How do you keep smiling when your body aches with pain?
Every day, people face painful circumstances and their hearts are longing to be comforted. Life is hard, ladies! Our hearts get broken, our lives get messy and we long for comfort.
God promises us in Jeremiah 31:13 that He will personally comfort us…“I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them,and make them rejoice rather than sorrow.”
In John 14:16, God promises His people the Holy Spirit who comforts our hurting hearts…“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,that he may abide with you for ever.”In 1 Thes 5:11, we find a command for us…“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
Joni Eareckson Tada once said, “You don’t have to be alone in your hurt! Comfort is yours. Joy is an option. And it’s all been made possible by your Saviour. He went without comfort so you might have it. He postponed joy so you might share in it. He willingly chose isolation so you might never be alone in your hurt and sorrow.”
In Psalm 77:2, we find Asaph – a man who refused to be comforted.
Asaph sought the Lord, but then refused His comfort.
When our hearts are hurting and we long to be comforted, we must give up the right to hold on to the pain and rest in the arms of the One who loves us with an everlasting love.
If your heart is hurting today, let Him comfort you, sweet friend. It’s not only what He wants to do for you – it’s part of who He is…the Comforter!
What do you need comfort for today? Are you allowing God to use your past pain to comfort hurting hearts? Are you sharing the burdens others are facing? Are you refusing to let God comfort your aching heart? How can I pray for you?
Stephanie, what a great thought for us all to be thinking on! I had never really noticed that verse about Asaph. He refused God's comfort! Now, that doesn't make sense to our brain at first thought, but in truth, many of us do that every day. He give us His promises through His Word and yet, we somehow don't receive them. I was healed of a major stroke I had last year by learning it's not what He is GOING to do for me that changes things, but what He has DONE for me on the cross that brings healing and answers. I see now from your precious words that it can be the same for comfort. He is willing and able to comfort me, but am I willing to accept His answers. Thanks so much for this timely word, Lady! Love to you in Christ! Karen
Karen ~ Wow! You've been through a lot, sweet friend! I had no idea! Praise the Lord He has brought healing to your body and your heart!
Don't you just love how God puts those nuggets in there for us! We aren't the only ones who struggle with holding on to our painful past like a security blanket – trying to make it be part of who we are instead of letting it go and letting God comfort us. We certainly have a lot to learn, don't we!