When You're Hurting

All of us have been through something that hurt our hearts. Perhaps it was a crushing break-up, a messy divorce (and aren't they all?), the loss of a loved one, or a disappointment that cut deep. Whatever your hurt, we have a great Comforter in our Heavenly Father.

I recently did a scripture dissection of Philippians 2:14-15, and I'd like to do something similar with Psalm 34:17-19. The Bible says,

"The righteous cry out and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all."

As a child of God, you have certain privileges. When we cry out to God during our darkest hour, He...

• Hears - Hebrews 4 tells us that we have a High Priest that allows us to come before the throne of God boldly because He (our High Priest) experienced being human and can therefore intercede on our behalf. Romans 8:26 tells us that the Spirit will make intercession for us when we don't even know what we should go before the throne of God with! 1 Peter 5:7 tells us we can cast ALL of our cares on God. These are great privileges made possible through Jesus and His blood! 

• Delivers - 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that God will make a way of escape in every single temptation. Deliverance from our trials is always there, we simply have to look for it. In another, more lasting way, Joel prophesied that deliverance would come in Jerusalem, and we know that the fulfillment of that prophecy was the establishment of the church in Acts 2. Thus we know that God will give us a home in heaven free from all troubles if we will take advantage of the deliverance available through the church. 

• Is Near - There aren't a lot of verses more comforting to me than James 4:8. If we draw near to God, He draws near to us. When we cry out and long for closeness with our Father, He draws near to us. 

• Saves - Somtimes I think that because we are so familiar with John 3:16 we don't let it soak in. But think about it slowly right now: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. There are so many things in this verse that are incredible. First, God gave His Son. That is huge. And why did He do it? He obviously didn't have to. No, He did it because He doesn't want us to perish. God wants us all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4). He is an all-powerful, almighty being that doesn't need us at all, but He loves us and therefore wants us to be in heaven with Him. When things are going wrong in every possible way, know that you are lobes so much by the only One that matters. Know that He sacrificed for you so that you don't have to perish. 

Nothing this life has to offer is more than we can bear. Heaven will make everything--every hurt, every struggle, every trial, every heartache--worth it. But know this: God has made it possible, but the choice is ours. When we're hurting, we can either turn to God or blame Him. 

Must-Tell Monday: Flashback Edition

One year ago today, I was the happiest I'd ever been. Looking back, I didn't even know what happiness was. One year ago, my best friend proposed to me. I could recount the entire story to you, but I've already written about it once, so you can just reread that!

Now, why would I say that I didn't even know what happiness was on that glorious spring day a year ago? Well, because I only thought I was happy when Robert proposed, but after nearly ten months of marriage I can tell you that I was just barely scratching the surface of true happiness. True happiness doesn't come in the form of a ring or a question. True happiness comes from the day to day, routine life things.

True happiness comes from waking up beside your best friend day after day. True happiness comes from knowing what a person is thinking simply by a glance or a squeeze of the hand. True happiness comes from the insight marriage gives you into the other person. True happiness is building a life together.

You see, true happiness isn't just the based on the happy, exciting times in your life. True happiness isn't about stringing together lots of wonderful memories and happy times. No, true happiness is going through the grime of life together, clawing your way through drama and craziness together, hand in hand. True happiness comes from the times that would be so hard to go through alone, but knowing you never have to again. True happiness is having your best friend there, always; in the good, the bad, the ugly, the terrible, and everything in between.

I'll be honest, it hasn't been 12 months of smooth-sailing. It has, however, been 12 months of growing closer together, leaning on one another, and loving each other more than we ever thought possible. Right now, a year later, I am telling you yet again that I am the happiest I've ever been. I cannot wait to see where another year with my best friend will take me. I look forward to whatever happiness is in my life a year from now. And with a heavenly Father like the one I have, I know that blessings will abound.