My message today is for a very specific group of people. It is for those who are walking through a dark valley that they cannot seem to see their way out of. It is for those carrying a weight of grief that settles upon them like a heavy blanket the moment their eyes open each morning. It is for those who are burdened under a load of fear, anxiety, and stress that makes each day difficult to make it through. It is for those wiping tears they are sure that no one notices. It is for those who are crying out in despair and desperately wondering when things are ever going to get better. And it is for those who keep asking that one question that they cannot find the answer to… Why?
My friend, with all my heart I wish I could make it better for you. With all my heart I wish I could promise you that things are going to get better soon. But I cannot. I cannot promise you that, but there are some things I can promise you. I can promise you that if you are a child of God, it does not matter how dark the night may get, He will be a light for you. I can promise you that no matter how bad things get, He will never leave your side. I can promise you that He will see you through this. I can promise you that He sees and catches every tear you cry (Psalm 56:8). I can promise you that you are not alone, and you are loved more than you can possibly imagine.
I can tell you that in the darkest of nights, He is there, and you will never behold anything more beautiful than His gentle love as He holds you close to His side. I can tell you that when you think you cannot possibly take another step; He will help you. I can tell you that there is nothing more beautiful than hearing Him whisper to your heart as you cling to Him in your moments of despair. I can tell you that not for one moment does He ever leave your side and He will walk with you through the deepest valleys and the darkest nights. And beloved, I can tell you that He can eventually take this pain and give it a purpose. Don’t give up dear heart, He is working in ways you cannot imagine!
I have walked through some deep valleys and I have made it through some pretty dark nights, and I have found that God is faithful. No matter how difficult things have gotten, He has always, always brought me through. When I tell you that He will help you, it is because I know that He will. I have seen His faithfulness. I know that my God can indeed “comfort all who mourn” and “give them beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3). My friend, I am literally in tears right now as I wish so desperately, I could take your hand and look you in the eye and tell you face to face what my God has done for me. My life has not been easy and oh, have I ever stumbled and fallen along the way.
But beloved, my God has been faithful! Oh, if I could just show you how beautiful my Savior is to me! If it weren’t for His love and faithfulness I would not be here today. My friend, may I share some of the hope I have found in Him with you? May I tell you about the God who will walk with you through the midst of the storm? May I share with you about the God who walks through the fire with you? Can I tell you about the God who heals the brokenhearted (Ps. 147:3)? May I talk with you about the One who hears the faintest cry of your heart and comes to comfort His beloved child? Friend, you are not alone; you are not forgotten, and you are not forsaken. He is with you.
And because He is with you, you will make it through. Hold onto Him. Cry, pray, scream if you need to, but hold onto Him for He is holding on to you. He is holding you; He is helping you, and He will carry you through this. These are not mere words my friend, they are truths I have experienced in my own life. Beloved, I may not know what you are going through, but I know the God who is going through it with you and because of this I know He will see you through. So, my friend, take a moment and just breathe. Just breathe and rest in the knowledge that you are not alone, and He is fighting for you and with you. You are known. You are seen. You are loved. With His help, you are going to make it through.
To console all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3
I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and He heard my cry, He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth- praise to our God; many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3
May God heal your heart and bring you peace my friend!
Katrina Douglas
