When the world and life feels dark and heavy
The world is weighted with grief and sorrow.
The arrows of the enemy arrive from multiple sources. The news fires round after round. We have no time to catch our breath before the next drama unfolds.
And then there’s our personal life.
Pain and suffering up close. Praying for close friends and families dealing with unimaginable circumstances. Over the course of several days, I’ve received one phone call or text after another where someone is sharing a heartbreak they are walking through- a diagnosis, a failing relationship, a deep wound, a loss.
It’s heavy. Our souls feel it.
Our pastor reminded us in a sermon recently that it’s important to sit with the heavy. It’s ok that it feels too much. It is.
Life is rarely easy for extended periods of time. The longer we live, the more pain we experience.
But aren’t you glad there’s more? Aren’t you grateful, this world isn’t the end?
When the weight of the the world feels too much…..
Go outside and…..
Look up into the sky. See the vastness of our God. Remember His words.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1
Listen to the birds. Remember His words.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:26-27
Look at the flowers. Walk barefoot in the grass. Remember His words.
“The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8
Remember to hope.
For the believer, there is always hope. We live on into eternity. Pain and suffering will be wiped away. No tears. No sadness. No worry. Perfect peace, perfect love, perfect joy. No sin.
It’s beyond our comprehension therefore at times it’s simply too far to reach for. Do we believe His Word? Do we truly believe He’s coming back? Do we believe He’s still in control even in our out of control situations and world?
Hope never dies. Don’t stop hoping.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Glory in our sufferings.
Recognize suffering isn’t wasted.
“….And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5: 2-5
Worship
Worship through the worry. Worship through the pain. Worship through it all.
Worship is a weapon and worship redirects our hearts and minds.
I’ve found Phil Wickham to be the best worship music to change my perspective. His music is so Jesus and eternity focused that no matter how scared, sad, or angry I am, his music is what my soul needed.
We all feel it
I know all of our souls are weighed down by the state of our world and our own personal up close worlds. I’ve found God to be true to His Word 100% of the time. He will never leave or forsake us. He hears our prayers. He answers.
As Phil Wickham says, “Friday’s good because Sunday’s coming.” Every day is good because Sunday came. He lives. He lives He lives. And He’s coming back for His bride. Don’t lose sight of that hope. This isn’t the end.
Now click that link and listen to a soul shifting song that brings tears to my eyes every single time I sing it.