Life is full of trials, and troubles, and the current state of society at this point in time, really seems to amplify these situations in our lives. If you have or have had a loved one in the hospital with an illness in the last almost 2 years, you know how difficult it can be to show that individual the love, support, and encouragement they need most in their time of pain and discomfort. Not to mention the trouble of even getting information on the patient without feeling like a burden to someone else. Perhaps you have lost a loved one "too early" in life, or otherwise unexpectedly. Death in any event is a difficult thing to accept, as it seems like such a final, unplanned, and permanent event that we just cannot comprehend.
These, among many other situations, can leave you feeling helpless, or even hopeless.
Why do we feel so helpless and lost in these situations? If you are a Christian and you experience this, you may even ask, “Why does God allow such trials in our lives”? The answer to both questions is simple; it's so we turn to God. Whether it be for the first time, or that we are turning to Him for greater hope and strength, we are to surrender to Him in our trials and let Him carry us at our weakest moments. These trials in our lives are meant to draw us closer to God, as well as teach us patience, experience, and hope, as stated in the scripture reference below.
I have recently found myself in the situation of having loved ones in the hospital, and not having the opportunity to be with them. While this is a discouraging place to be, I was reminded that believers are never alone. I found it to be a good illustration/reminder of how we should be approaching these situations, as well as anything and everything else we bring before God. It is not us who bring comfort and healing to others, it is God who does this. We should be taking all things to Him in prayer, knowing that He is in control. If we know the person knows the Lord, we can rest in knowing that person is not alone, for they have the comfort and company of the Holy Spirit. If they don’t know the Lord, this is all the more reason to pray longer and often, that somehow, someone will reach this person and they may find comfort in Him.
We sometimes lose sight of where our true hope lies: our hope is in the Lord, and not of this world. When we experience these trials in life, our reaction to these events is an indication of what we have invested in for our hope. It is a natural human reaction to feel sorrow for the loss of a loved one, John 11:35 tells us that even Jesus wept for the death of a friend. We learn in this chapter of John, that if we come to God in our moments of weakness, he will meet us there. That he will cry with us, but also give us the strength we need to get through today. We must surrender to Him, and rely on His mercies that are new every day, to keep going. If we look for hope and peace in the here and now, we will be discouraged every time. While we will never fathom the depth and detail of His perfect plan, when we look at these situations with eternity in mind, we begin to see parts of the bigger picture. We may never see the whole picture, but in time, with faith, parts and pieces may be revealed to us and provide us comfort and peace.
None of this is to say that you can’t, or shouldn’t mourn the loss of a loved one, or that if you are struggling with a loss, you are in the wrong. This is simply to state that you are not, and/or don’t have to be alone in it. Jesus provides hope for us all, we just have to call on Him for it. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time and purpose for all things, and everything has a season.
If you are struggling with a loss, or you have a loved one in the hospital you feel you are unable to support the way they need or have any sort of personal struggle in your life, I encourage you to open up to your church, in addition to taking it to the Lord in prayer. We should be more transparent about our trials and troubles with each other, and more open in requesting prayer for the things we need or struggle with. When we show and share our pain, it allows the body of Christ (the church) to display the love of Christ, allowing others to see His work. If everyone is “good” all of the time, not only are we not being honest, but in just saying we are good all the time, the world fails to see His work in and through us. Even if our prayers are not answered the way we would like them to be, it is important to be transparent enough that others see His work, and where our hope lies. When we turn to Him for hope and strength and share our pain with others, we should find that His people are there to comfort and help us, through Him.
Scripture references:
II Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong
Romans 5:3-4 KJV
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope
Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance
