Hoping in God (During Trials and Tears)

Some days I get angry at all the suffering in the world and harden myself against the hurt and pain.

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Other days I experience peace from the Lord as I pour out my heart to him. 

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Every day God is my refuge whose steadfast love never ceases. 

The last few weeks have been difficult, as my dear uncle passed away at the beginning of April. God graciously regenerated his heart less than two weeks before he went to be with the Lord. I experienced overwhelming joy and conviction when I read the text that he had repented. How often do I ask God to do something and assume I already know his answer?

That same weekend, another precious girl went to be with the Lord. She fought valiantly against cancer three times. Her memorial service was heart-wrenching, beautiful, and Christ-exalting. Through her life, thousands of people have heard the gospel.

A friend has a miscarriage. Another friend struggles to get pregnant. A third friend's baby has health complications. Sometimes life can be really, really hard.

Yesterday I was reading Stuart Little to my older girls and a situation came up that made my oldest nervous. She immediately wanted to know what was going to happen. I assured her that I already knew the outcome and it would all be fine.

The Lord kindly reminded me in that the moment that He also knows the final outcome. While we don't see the full picture of what he is doing, he does.

I need to be reminded of God's truth. I need to remember He is near and at work in the midst of my tears. My prayer is that this list of things I do (very imperfectly) during trials helps lifts your eyes to the Lord.


1. Pour out my heart to the Lord.

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah"
Psalm 62:5-8

This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. There are so many comforting descriptors of who God. He is my hope, rock, salvation, fortress, glory, mighty rock, and refuge! This tells me he is powerful, strong, unchanging, and all-sufficient. He is also tender and compassionate as he tells me to lay my soul bare before him.

2. Remember the final outcome.

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'" Revelation 21:3–5

On days when I'm overwhelmed, this passage comforts me with the truth that God will make all things new. One day there will be no more death. One day children will no longer die from cancer. One day all suffering, sadness, loneliness, and pain will be gone. One day all that is wrong will be made right! C.S. Lewis sums up our situation very well:

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." ~ Mere Christianity

3. Interrogate my heart and recount God's faithfulness.

"I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted...
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
'Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?' Selah
Then I said, 'I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.'
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds." Psalm 77:1-2, 6c-12

I still remember my absolute delight when I first read this passage. Asaph is asking hard questions of himself and fighting to trust God. This Psalm addresses lies I believe about God being stingy and unfaithful. It also reorients my heart to consider God's faithfulness. This side of the cross, I am especially able to recount God's goodness by meditating on the gospel.

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