Day 3: Pouring Out Your Heart
The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
One of the most difficult things we can face in life is loss, and in the aftermath of a tragedy, the pain of loss can be very difficult to cope with. At times, it may even seem unbearable. Because God made us with feelings, there are many other difficult emotions we may experience when grieving or facing tough circumstances. We can feel hopeless, helpless, confused, fearful, anxious, and even angry. Recognizing these emotions, and releasing them in healthy ways, is extremely important in the journey toward healing and wellness. Ignoring or suppressing them can be very destructive, crippling to say the least. What emotions do you feel in your heart? Heartache and pain are undoubtedly among them. You're probably hurting so badly that all you really want to do is cry. And that's okay! Even the Lord Jesus Christ wept when faced with the tragedy and sorrow of death (see John 11:35). He was so deeply moved within because of the sorrow resulting from Lazarus' death that He began to weep.
Sure, it's good to be strong in the midst of difficult circumstances, but it is also important to acknowledge the emotions that pain, suffering, and loss can bring. Think about it. How can your heart truly heal, if you don't acknowledge that you're hurting? So take the first step. Get alone with God, and tell Him honestly how badly you are hurting. Cry if you want to. Cry out to Him, "God, help me!" You will find that as you pour out your heart to the Lord, you'll begin to feel the burdens of your soul roll away.
Taking back your life …
- In Psalm 56:8 (TLB), David says of God, "You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book." How does it make you feel to know how important your tears are to God?
- Consider what you have lost in the aftermath of tragedy. As you pour out your heart and acknowledge the emotions you are working through, you can find comfort in the following Scriptures for …
- The death of a loved one: Matthew 5:4; Psalm 116:15; 2 Corinthians 5:8
- Facing a terrible illness: Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 53:5; Jeremiah 17:14; Matthew 26:39
- The separation of family members: Ephesians 3:20
- The loss of your job, home, and other possessions: Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:31-34
- Financial troubles: Psalm 34:10; Joshua 1:8; Luke 6:38
- The fear of all you have yet to deal with: Isaiah 41:10
- The destruction of your beloved city or community: Isaiah 58:12
Additional Scripture reading:
- 2 Kings 20:5b
- Psalm 34:6
- 1 Peter 5:7
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