Hope When My Heart Hurts

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence. Psalm 140:12-13

Soooo…. The other day I was struggling with depression. Yes, [raises hand] I struggle with depression. For those who know my story, the last few years have been incredibly painful. Where can I find hope when my heart hurts? I have looked in many places. The only thing that has brought life to the deep sting of death is God’s Word, the Bible.

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

So there I was again, feeling beaten down after a long day. Despairing of life. My hands reaching up as a last-ditch effort for God to meet me in my need. I read a section from a little devotional book and it settles me just enough to fall asleep.

“I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.”

I wake with the same pain and anxieties I went to bed with. But I open my Bible reading app and read the assigned text for the day. And that’s when it hit me…

//Pause// Have you ever read something in the Bible that you’ve totally read like 1,000 times… except for this time, it seemed completely new and written just for you? That was me at that moment! //Play//

THIS is my hope!!
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In a raw and real way, the author David pours his heart out to God. He is in so much pain! He doesn’t know if it will ever end. I feel ya man! But then he ends with this:

Dear friend, are you struggling? Please don’t be silent and alone! Reach out to us, a Christian near you, someone.

If you are a Christian, then you’ve been adopted into a FAMILY. You’re not supposed to go at this life alone, and you don’t have to. I only say this because that’s what I used to believe. But it’s not true.

Truth: The Bible says that there is purpose in our pain. Now, this verse is telling me that God Himself will maintain that purpose and not let it slide. No matter how deep or long the affliction, God will not let pain be a waste.

Response:​ “O Lord, engrave in my heart the surety of You maintaining my cause!”

“Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.”

Truth: These are promises, friends! If you are in Christ, then the words righteous and upright apply to your account. Let us gaze upon the cross and be silent. The longer I gaze the more I find thankfulness bubbling up in my heart. The more I imagine seeing Jesus face-to-face in Heaven, the more excitement swells in my soul!

Response: “Father, set my heart solidly on the far yet near future of dwelling in Your presence, and overflow my heart with thanks to Your name.”

Thinking I was alone, the next day I shared my deep, ugly struggles with a friend. And wouldn’t you know it, she said she’s been struggling with the same thing! We then shared with each other some solace we’ve found in Scripture. And let me tell you, it was a balm for the soul!

​Be an encourager! Share in the comments below a Bible verse that has helped you through a trial. Struggling in life, but can’t think of a Bible verse? Please comment and let us help you think of some!