That’s Life!
By Joan Walker Hahn
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:3-5 NKJV
One day when my daughter was younger, we were discussing some disappointments we had. Those things were not really big issues, but to a teenager, everything seems to fall into the “major events” column. I made the comment, “That’s life.” Neither of us really liked that statement of reality. After that though, when we found ourselves complaining over things that were not all that important, we began to tell each other, “That’s life, Jack!” It would help us laugh and put things in perspective.
But sometimes there are major events we have to face. Sometimes life just isn’t fun – or fair. We often have to experience things that bring us great sadness. The loss of a loved one leaves an emptiness that can’t be filled. The ending of a special relationship can bring pain, confusion or anger. We could name one problem after another that we all, at some time or another, will endure.
As Christians, we need to realize we are not going through anything by ourselves. Even when it seems people around us do not care, God does. In fact, Christ said one of the very reasons God sent Him into the world was to, heal the brokenhearted.
We can also take heart in knowing that God does see and He knows exactly what we are going through at every moment. In Matthew, Chapter 10, Christ was preparing His disciples to go out to witness to all the surrounding areas. He told them they would face hardships. We can be assured we will face hardships as well. But Christ went on to assure them that God’s power would be with them. He told them that the Father knew every time a sparrow fell from the sky. Then He said,
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31 NKJV
So we know we will have times when we may be brokenhearted. But we can trust that God sees us, that He knows what we are going through, and that He is with us to heal our broken heart.
Knowing intellectually that God is with us and actually living it out is not the same. Satan uses those bad things we experience to try to alienate us from God and from people who may be able to help us. The way to actually trust that God is with us is by staying in His Word. We need to find a promise He has made to us and recite it, or claim it. Verses such as:
And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6 NKJV
It’s important to be in God’s Word daily. It is through His Word that He speaks to us and assures us that we are not alone.
Heavenly Father, I understand that we all have to experience hard things in this life. But knowing that doesn’t make the hurt any easier to bear. Help me learn to trust You are with me and that You see everything, every hurt and every disappointment I am going through. Help me feel Your comforting hand and know I am not alone. Thank You for loving me and caring about me so much that You even know the number of hairs on my head. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
For more encouragement, visit Joan at joanwalkerhahn.com.
©2020 by Joan Walker Hahn. All rights reserved.
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