“And He [Jesus] said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death’” Mark 14:34

Jesus and His disciples went to a place called Gethsemane to pray. He was well aware of the rejection, torture, and crucifixion that awaited him. He became greatly distressed and troubled and said to His disciples, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.”

As I read that verse this week, I thought of some of the times when my soul was sorrowful to death. When our five-month-old grandson died, deep sounds of anguish came out of my mouth — from deep within my soul. Not only was I grieving the loss of our grandson, but also the tragic loss our daughter and son-in-law were experiencing.

On reflecting on this time and others, I remembered how I was comforted and strengthened through the reading of the Word and the empathy of many friends. And because Christ Himself had gone through much deeper agony, He now walked with me in my sorrow.

I wonder, are you going through a time of deep anguish right now? An unfaithful spouse? Divorce? A child or spouse or you, yourself, with terminal illness? Death of a loved one? Abuse? Financial impossibilities?

I encourage you to “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken” (Psalm 55:22).

You probably won’t be freed from the pain and anguish immediately, but He will give you strength for the moment and the day, along with wisdom to know what your next steps should be.

He won’t forsake you.

Lord Jesus, it is so comforting to know that You have gone through anguish and sorrow. You know what we are going through. Thank You for being right there with us all the time, understanding, loving and comforting, strengthening, and giving us wisdom. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Dealing with Inner Turmoil

•   Keeping Yourself in God’s Love – even during painful times in your life

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Anguish of the Soul appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”  Proverbs 3:5&6

Cathy knew there was something wrong.

Even though her daughter Becky was an adult and lived out of state, Cathy still had a mother’s instinct.
Their last phone conversation left her unsettled.

She soon discovered Becky had an extramarital affair. Her husband threatened divorce.

Cathy so wanted to save Becky from the sorrow and suffering ahead. But she couldn’t.

Most of all, Cathy longed to see her daughter receive Jesus into her heart and life.

She couldn’t MAKE that happen either.  So this burdened mother prayed.

Oh, dear friend, there are limitations to what you can do for your children.

So recognize your limitations, share God’s love at every opportunity, and pray daily for them.

In God’s timing you will see results. Becky is now telling others how Christ saved her marriage!

Question:  Do you have a situation in your family which looks impossible?  Place it in the Lord’s hands.

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Rebuilding After a Wife’s Affair

Unrecognizable

When Your Husband Has an Affair. What Should You DO

The post Parental Impossibilities appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus… And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them… Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?… I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.”  Romans 8 (NLT)

We stood on the shores of the Pacific Ocean as the waves relentlessly rolled into shore. Seabirds soared from rock to rock, seemingly unaware of the power of the surge just below them. With no traffic sounds to obscure our hearing, only the roar of the water and the occasional chirp of the birds were audible. Wave after wave. Thunder after thunder.

I thought of this just a few hours ago when I heard the news that the granddaughter of a dear friend had been killed in an auto accident. Then an email message that another friend, suffering from cancer, is weakening. Earlier in the week we received word that an acquaintance had died suddenly. Wave after wave. Thunder after thunder.

“…when sorrows like sea billows roll…” That’s how one man described his lot after financial ruin from the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, and then the death of his four daughters in a transatlantic ship collision. Horatio Spafford went to meet his wife in England after his daughters deaths and when the ship on which he was travelling neared the place of the sea tragedy, he began writing the words to a great hymn:

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
’It is well, it is well, with my soul.’

Spafford’s poetry—and his later life as a faithful follower of Jesus—indicates how he could say, “It is well with my soul.” Six important words: “Thou has taught me to day…” This man and his wife had walked closely with Jesus, absorbed His love and learned to trust Him in the good times so when the hard, even tragic, times came, through their tears they knew enough of God’s character to know that nothing could separate them—or their daughters—from His love.

We can’t prevent all the accidents and illnesses of life, but we can learn to make Christ the center of our lives each day, trusting Him so that “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, ‘It is well with my soul.’”

Thank you, Father, for being always present with us. Help me trust you even when I can’t see your hand so that “it is well with my soul” will be daily on my lips.

by Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

God Uses Sorrow for Good

Anguish of the Soul

The post The Roar of Sorrow appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
Colossians 4:2

Janet’s son was brutally murdered but she turned to God to handle such a painful loss.

Sometime afterwards Janet spoke with a grieving mother in a similar ordeal.

But that woman was vengeful, bitter and angry.

Yes, both mothers suffer from the pain of loss.

But Janet’s attitude reflects a strong faith in God.

Her daily discouragement-fighter is to thank God.

She prays,

“Thank you, God, that you comfort me through your Word.
When my heart longs to have my son again, You comfort me
I am so, so grateful.”

The Bible says,

“Devote yourselves to (God in) prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”  Colossians 4:2

Dear one, that’s the best way to meet your darkest trials……Faith-On.

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

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