Tears and Heartache

Tragedy, heartache, loss, disappointments, illness and death are a part of the world that we live in. Most of us don't pay too close attention to all this until it hits close to us.   moments that none of us plan to experience. Moments when all dreams, hopes, and future plans fade into what might have been. Moments when you find yourself facing unemployment when you were hoping for an advancement in your career. Perhaps you are facing a divorce when you still envisioned a lifetime with the one your heart loves.   In disbelief, maybe you are preparing for the funeral of someone you love who was taken way too early.   We struggle in these moments to find understanding and peace. We question everything and marvel at how the world seems to just keep going when our mind and heart seems frozen in place.

Do you question everything in those moments? Regret past decisions that you would give anything to change.   Do you cry out in anger against others, against God?  Do you question His ways or His faithfulness?  In those solemn moments when all pretense is stripped away and all you have left is raw emotion mixed with pure desperation; where do you turn?  My friend, in all moments you can call on the Savior.  Even in the midst of pure anger? Yes. Even in the midst of such grief, loss and despair? Yes. Even when I am not sure that God is still real and true? Yes.

In those times when heartache is a constant companion, God is closer than your next breath. He gives you the grace you need to walk through the next moments, hours, days, and weeks. He will not leave you- not even for sleep- and He will comfort, hold and carry your tears in His heart.  
"The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him."(Nahum 1:7 NLT) "The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you. "(Psalm 9:9, 10 NLT) "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety." (Psalm 18:2 NLT)

Are you angry with God and just can't understand the 'why' in all the heartache?  Are you questioning His goodness? Love? Faithfulness?  My friend He can handle your anger. He knows that your mind and heart are so broken and hurting.  Share all this with Him- He can handle it. In the process, however, just know that He will be at work within you bringing healing and reconciliation to your relationship. Even in the midst of our sin and ugliness of anger and hurt, God loves us- He loved you so much to send His Son for your salvation.  "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. "(1 John 4:9, 10 NLT) "So the LORD must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help." (Isaiah 30:18 NLT).  "The LORD is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust." (Psalm 103:13, 14 NLT)
 

Finally, my friend, there are some things that we will not fully understand until we reach heaven. God's ways are not earthly ways because His perspective is far greater than our own. When grief and hurt distort our view of things, God has a clear picture spanning all time. You may always wonder certain events happened, but healing comes when you trust in the character of God.  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8, 9 NIV) "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. " (Isaiah 54:10 NIV) "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NLT)

In the midst of your tears and heartache, breathe in the grace, comfort, and peace that you need for each given moment.  Before you know it God will bring healing, hope and restore joy to your heart. Let Him carry you through this difficult time and grant life to your weary soul.