A Prayer for When You Can’t Bear the World’s Grief - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - July 11, 2025
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering… the punishment that brought us peace was on him…” Isaiah 53:4-5
We are in love with the internet to the detriment of our hearts’ well-being. More than keeping tabs on Hollywood, politics, and the local town’s latest crime story, we consume constant tragedy, the hard, heavy evidence of a world broken by sin. While instant access to disheartening news presents an incredible opportunity to pray for, serve, and reach out to those around the world, it’s essential to recognize our limited capacity to grieve healthily.
Love has no limits, but I’m certain our minds need boundaries to allow our grief to remain free of a dangerous futility born of bitterness and fear. After all, it seems two of Satan’s most effective weapons are hopelessness and pessimism. When we feel things will never be better, negativity becomes a defense mechanism, a way to shield ourselves from holding onto hope. This is breeding grounds for isolation, as others will distance themselves from our acidic attitude.
When we are separated from others, how can we love them? How can we serve them? How can we show them Jesus?
As a mom to a precious two-year-old boy, the recent tragedy concerning the campers and counselors in Texas has my heart on edge. It’s a slippery slope to tiptoe around, the darkest rabbit hole to chase, when I imagine how I would be, where my faith would be, if that had been my son. On one hand, I am so grateful my son remains alive and healthy; on the other, I am reminded of the world we live in, how little control I truly have in protecting him.
Tragic news reminds me that healthy grief can be destroyed when I allow myself to be overwhelmed by global heartache. My frail heart and mind cannot grieve well enough and pure enough for every person on this planet. That’s a raw process honored best by those directly impacted by the suffering.
To establish a healthy boundary between us and the world’s grief, we must remember Isaiah 53:5, which says Christ Jesus was punished to grant us access to peace in our aching world. This peace is already ours, fully accessible on this side of heaven, because what peace will we need when all is perfect? And who better to receive this peace from than the One big and kind enough to cradle our whole world in His strong yet tender hands?
Perhaps the best way to reset our hearts and minds is to acknowledge our limitations and cultivate a healthy relationship with the profound grief that comes with large-scale, global tragedies. This might look like:
-Setting boundaries for how often you pray for those impacted by a tragedy (once a day, once in the morning and night, etc.)
-Discovering one way you can financially donate to the victims (if able)
-Finding one way you can reach out to victims (writing a card, commenting on social media with encouraging Scripture and support, etc.)
-Asking God the hard questions concerning tragedy, but in addition to asking, turning to Scripture and godly friends for understanding
-Remaining steadfast in finding 3-5 things each day you are grateful for, keeping joy and hope alive
Let’s pray:
Father, grief will always be present somewhere in our world, at all times. This can feel too heavy to bear, let alone comprehend. Nonetheless, may our acts of love be a reminder that you, God, have always been good and that you are using your children as beacons of joy and hope amid loss. May we remember that while grief is necessary and healthy, your sacrifice has granted us eternal peace to weather all of life’s storms. We love you for being so gracious in protecting our hearts and minds, Lord. In your holy name, Amen.
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