What to Remember When Your Life is Full of Pain

Pain is a part of this life. Brokenness is all around us. Parents split. Families’ abuse. The cancer wins. Children die. The only thing I know to be true is this: God IS faithful. He is a deliverer. A healer. A savior. A protector. A warrior. A lover. A completer.I've seen some pretty dark stuff in my days on Planet Earth.  Perhaps the darkest was when a precious child in my life drowned. Utter despair. There was no escape from the pain. It was crushing. I never considered killing myself, but I can now see how some people could do it.

The pain is simply too much too bear. It was the worst time of my life.

But God moved with a Mighty Hand. In that moment, He heard me crying out and reminded me of this scripture,

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." - Psalm 40:2

God brought to me a community of faith that changed my life and surrounded me with an amazing family in Christ. I walked in to new life.He restored my heart and healed me of the wounds. I saw how good and mighty He really is. I worship Him for His faithfulness to bind up a broken heart. It didn't happen overnight, though. Even as mighty as He moved, healing is a process. It seemed as though the pain would always be with me but again His promises are true.

Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. - Psalm 30:5

The night may last longer than you wish, but when The Lord is your God, the morning always comes.

This past August was 2 years since the little one went to be with Jesus. Not only did God help me walk into new life, but He saw fit to completely heal me. I am free. Looking back, I realized that even though He had been healing me, I was still walking with a limp through life. While I was not under the weight of tragedy any longer, joy had not returned to my heart.The other weekend, we celebrated the marriage of a brother and sister in Christ. We laughed and danced the night away. I cannot remember ever laughing so much. It was the best time I have had in years.

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him." - Psalm 40:3

I would never wish such tragedy on my worst enemy but by clinging to Jesus during the night, He has restored my soul.I know some of you have experienced terrible things, I know that. Just remember, no matter how long the night, the morning always comes. After that season, the Lord left me with a simple message I would share with you. The pain fades. Love remains. Joy returns.