With You in Your Pain

Have you ever felt depressed or faced discouragement? When you’re in pain, talk with God, even if it’s just to be mad. Remember: two-thirds of the Psalms are complaints. Psalm 73 is my favorite gripe. Asaph is mad and deeply discouraged. He concludes that following God is a waste of time. He describes himself as “a brute beast before” God (verse 22). I’ve identified with that many times. I’ve met God in my failure, my frustration, my falling to sin. You too may meet Him in those ways, or in illness, a broken relationship, loss, or a lifelong burden. And it’s too easy to feel that God is distant or separated from you. In truth, Jesus is there with us in the darkness. In the midst of his misery, Asaph prays, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (verse 23). He connects with God in the midst of his struggle. God is already there. We could say that he invites God into his pain. Here’s the good part: When we go to Jesus, our situation may not change, but we do. Our Lord always points us somewhere—upward. Asaph continues, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (verses 24-25). In Christ, we have true hope—no matter what—because we have a Savior in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). A Savior who will one day completely destroy sin, death, and suffering (Revelation 21:1-5). A Savior who knows what our hurts feel like (Hebrews 4:14-16). A Savior who is with us through it all (Matthew 28:20). We can meet Jesus in our pain. • Peter Lundell • Think about when you’ve been in pain. Can you see how God was there with you? • Have you ever gone to Jesus in the midst of your pain? What was it like? • If you’re wrestling with depression or other deep pain and need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

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Psalm 73