Hallelujah Even Here

“Right now, I feel a little overwhelmed

Right now, I could really use some help

Right now, I don’t feel like ‘it is well with my soul.’”

We’ve all been there before… that dark, lonely place where the pain feels unbearable and your mind is filled with confusion and question marks.

You get a call from the doctor with news that will change your life as you know it.

You give your heart away only to have it broken.

You lose a child or a loved one.

Depression has its grip so tight around your heart that even taking your next breath is exhausting.

You failed those who trusted you, and now you carry the shame with you every day.

He cheated, she betrayed you, you lost your job, etc… The list could go on and on.

Maybe you’re walking in a season like this right now and you are scrambling to find some kind of peace in the midst of the storm.  I’ve been there, and in some ways, I am there.  And while I’m not about to promise you a quick fix to your problems or tell you to “say this many Hail Mary’s and ____ will happen,” I am here to tell you that you are NOT alone.  We have a God who “is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18), and who promises that even in the darkest valley, He will be right by our side to comfort and guide us… (Psalm 23)

By the end of this devotional, my hope is that your heart will be encouraged to trust just a little more in the faithfulness and love of the God we serve.  In the meantime, as you face whatever you are having to face today, let me leave you with this simple truth:

Peace is not always a feeling, but it is a knowing.

It’s knowing that even if we don’t understand the “whys” behind what we’re going through right now, we do know that the God who holds the universe in His hands is good; He loves us and He’s in control.  He has promised never to leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)… If you have nothing else to hold onto for hope today, hold onto that. He is by your side and He cares. (MCN)