Cancer. Surgeries. Bills that can’t be paid. Funerals. Doctors, doctors and more doctors. Addictions that can’t be overcome. Deep self doubts. Betrayal. Thoughts of suicide. Saying goodbye to the love of your life. A personal failure that hurts others. The graveside of a new born baby. Making hard decisions for loved ones. Divorce. Criticism from those you love and respect.

Can you relate to any of those? Several hit home with me. Certainly some of life’s struggles are more difficult than others. But when we’re in the tight places with narrow canyon walls extending to the clouds it can be hard to tell the difference. A broken heart hurts.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit … Concerning this [current struggle] I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you” … I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings …” (Psalms 34:18, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Philippians 3:10)

When his people are trusting him and are broken-hearted (regardless of cause – I think) the Lord is near to them. It is my experience that our Lord has been sweetest, his presence most comforting, and my knowledge of him grows deeper in my darkest struggles.

Some would tell us we are fools to believe this is really true. But you and I know better. He’s been there with us before. He is here now, too. “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalms 34:8)

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