Most of us have been in a situation at some point in our lives that could have easily knocked us right off track. Maybe it was a dreaded phone call, maybe it was a relationship gone bad or maybe it is the loss of someone you loved?

If I’m being honest I have experienced all three of these situations and boy was I knocked off track. I’ve been in a season where I didn’t feel like I was going to recover. I didn’t know if I could face another day without fear and sadness. I’ve had those phone calls where I drop the phone and just cry. Ugly, sobbing cries….

In these times I’ve cried out to God too. Asking why?
Asking how?
Begging Him please not again?

What I didn’t realize then that I understand now is He heard, but not only did He hear my cries. He was weeping along side me.

I don’t know why certain people experience tremendous amounts of pain and sorrow. What I do know is that God eventually takes that pain and sorrow to use for His good.

I don’t have any other explanation of how I would have made it through all the loss I’ve experienced. It may not be on this side of heaven, but He will restore you. None of this will be wasted. We just have to keep believing and reaching.

One of my favorite verses is Matthew 11:28-30.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light.”

I like to imagine that when we cry out to Jesus, this is what he is telling us in return.  He stands with His arms open wide ready for us to come to Him. He takes our hands and wipes our tears. Then he takes our pain, our sadness, our guilt, whatever you may be feeling and He tells us it’s ALL okay. We are safe, we are loved and we can rest in His loving peace.