We all go through tough times in life—situations that make us feel hurt, frustrated, or completely drained. Sometimes, we just shrug it off and think, “Well, that’s life. It is what it is.” But then there are those moments when the disappointment hits hard. It’s like a punch to the gut that leaves us breathless and wondering if we can keep going. Whether it’s personal struggles, big global problems, or just feeling misunderstood, the weight of certain moments can feel too much to bear.
But here’s the thing: even though we go through hard times, God wants us to remember that He’s with us through it all. And He doesn’t want our hearts to stay sad or discouraged.
God Sees Your Pain
One of the biggest struggles we face when life gets tough is feeling like God doesn’t get it. We may wonder why He feels distant or question whether He even notices our suffering. When we’re in the middle of a storm, it’s easy to assume that God can’t possibly relate to the depth of our emotions. But that’s simply not true. Nothing escapes His notice. God knows exactly what we’re experiencing—every sorrow, every fear, every moment of pain—and He sees us completely. And He wants us to come to Him with our pain, not because He is unaware, but because He is fully aware and cares deeply. There’s comfort in knowing that we are never truly alone in our struggles. God’s heart is not far from ours, even when it feels that way.
Our powerful Lord and Savior knows what it feels like to experience heartache. In Isaiah 53:3 (NLT), it says of Jesus: “He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.” Jesus faced rejection, betrayal, and the deepest kind of sorrow. He understands our pain more than we can imagine. So, it’s important not to let doubt sneak in and convince us that God is far away or uncaring. God is right there, walking with us through every trial and tribulation.
Trusting God in the Storm
God always has a bigger picture in mind. He is in control of the entire universe. And while we may not always understand why we’re going through what we’re going through, or why things are so haywire in this crazy world, we can trust that God’s plan is good. And He alone has the final say. He has already shown us in His Word that He is faithful and true. Every prophecy in the Bible has been fulfilled, and everything God has promised will surely come to pass.
God’s Word is a rock that we can stand on, no matter how rough the waves may be. In Isaiah 55:11 (NLT), God says, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” God’s Word is alive and powerful, and we can trust it to work in our lives, even when everything feels uncertain or dark.
When life’s disappointments make us want to throw in the towel, God calls us to take our eyes off the chaos around us and refocus on Him. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) says, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Jesus is our focus, not the problems we see in the world. He is the One who will bring victory over every storm.
God Is the Righteous Judge
When it feels like evil is winning and nothing is going right, we must remember that God sees everything. Nothing escapes His notice. He is the Righteous Judge, and in the end, He will make all things right. God promises to right every wrong and avenge every injustice.
It’s easy to feel discouraged when we look at the brokenness around us, but we can take heart—God never takes His eyes off His children. He sees our pain, the injustices we face, and every hurt that weighs us down. We don’t have to have all the answers or try to fix everything on our own. God’s got this. He is in control, and He will bring justice in His perfect timing.
Shift Your Focus
One of the hardest things we face in tough times is not letting our emotions take over. Our hearts, minds, and souls are affected by what’s going on around us, but God has given us the power to take control of them. We don’t have to be ruled by sadness, fear, or doubt. We can choose to trust God instead.
In John 14:1 (NLT), Jesus gives us a powerful command: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” Jesus is telling us that when we feel troubled or anxious, we don’t have to stay in that place. We can choose to trust God. He doesn’t want us to be weighed down by worry or fear. He wants us to give our burdens to Him and trust that He is in control.
It’s normal to feel sad sometimes. We all go through hard things. But don’t let your heart stay sad—don’t stay stuck in those feelings. We can make the choice to refocus on God, remember His promises, and trust that He will help us through. Our hearts may be feeling heavy, but we cannot allow that sadness to define us.
So, how do we deal with the tough moments and not let them steal our joy? We need to shift our focus from the problem to the Problem-Solver. We need to remember that God is in control, and He will work everything out for our good. Romans 8:28 (NLT) reminds us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Even in the hardest situations, God is at work behind the scenes, bringing about good in ways we can’t always see right away. His faithfulness never wavers, and we can trust and have peace in His divine plan. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Don’t Let Your Heart Be Sad”, written by Rev. Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Lizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.