Hope in Suffering

The past few weeks have been weeks of sorrow for multiple friends. Wives have buried husbands. Moms and dads have lost children. Others are providing care for loved ones with life threatening illnesses. Suffering.Psalm 34:18 reminds us that God is near the broken hearted. “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”This is for anyone who may be going through a season of suffering today. May you feel God’s sweet presence near to your heart. Summer has passed and the leaves are turning.Flowers are fading, my heart is yearningTo see past this season of loss,To find some joy in this cross.Lift up my heart, Lord.Fill it with Your presence –Cover me in all that You are.Lift up my heart, Lord.Bind the broken piecesWith the fulness of Your love,For You alone can understandAnd make me whole again.Sunshine can’t break through the clouds around me.I need Your light to completely surround me.You are my reason to live.Your heart has real joy to give.Lift up my heart, Lord.Fill it with Your presence –Cover me in all that You are.Lift up my heart, Lord.Bind the broken piecesWith the fulness of Your love,For You alone can understandAnd make me whole again. Father, bless the broken hearted today. Remind us all that You know what it means to be brokenhearted. Grant joy in the midst of tears. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray.