Prayers and Tears Together

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

Unless we go through trials and suffering that are excruitiating in heart and experience God's grace through those times, we really have nothing to say to those who also suffer. When people hear words of comfort they have to know that those true-to-life words have also come from a place of deep pain. Otherwise the words will seem empty. When we know that the words of comfort come through those who have experienced horrendous things in life and found God to be faithful and good even during those times, we are uplifted and have hope. Hearing how God brought about good, even through tragedy, helps our faith to be strengthened and our outlook brightened. There is hope in Christ - real hope. It is the kind of hope that helps people get through the toughest unimaginable things that life may throw at them - and come out better than before. They are more confident about life, they have a sense of perspective, they can keep the long view in mind, and stay strong in their faith in Christ, smiling even as life roars. In that place of pain when we come to know that nothing - nothing can seperate us from His love and that His plans for us are ultimately good, no matter what we are experiencing us in that moment, there can be a sense of peace of heart and mind. The Bible defines good as that which forges our character more into someone like Jesus. Things that forge character are usually not easy things. Character is usually built in the difficulties and heart-rendering "unfair" brutal realities of life. Tears are ok. They are the workings out of our faith - prayers and tears together. Like the Psalmist we get out our tears and complaints and then place our faith and trust in God all over again. We are told, "when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10). It all ends well for the child of God, who promises a future and a hope. Hold on. There is true hope in Christ.