With You in Your Pain

READ: PSALM 73; ROMANS 8:35-39

Throughout our lives, we all go through times when we feel depressed and discouraged. When we’re in pain, we may forget that we can talk with God, even if it’s just to be angry. Remember: nearly half of the psalms are complaints—also known as laments.

Psalm 73 is my favorite gripe. Asaph is angry 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 into sin. You too may meet Him in those ways—or in illness, a broken relationship, loss, or a lifelong burden. While it can be so easy to believe that God is distant or separated from us, in truth, Jesus is right there with us in the darkness (Psalm 139:7-12).

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. And God is already there. He has been all along. We could say that Asaph invites God into his pain.

Here’s the good part: When we go to Jesus, our situations 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).

So we can always have hope—no matter what—because we have a Savior in heaven. A Savior who has promised to return and put an end to sin, death, and suffering. A Savior who is with us through it all—who feels our hurts as His own. We can meet Jesus in our pain. • Peter Lundell

• Can you think of a time you were in pain, but you could see how God was there with you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this, and invite Him into any pain you’re in now.

• If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 28:20; Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 21:1-5.

• If you’re wrestling with depression or other deep pain, who is someone you could share openly with about what you’re experiencing? If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)