Can you remember a time when you received devastating news? You know, the type of news that takes your breath away? Perhaps at a doctor’s appointment, you were told that you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer or some other terminal illness. Maybe you received a knock at the door to be informed that a loved one had died. Or even something like being called into the boss’ office and told that due to budget cuts you were being laid off. There are times when we hear difficult news that fills our hearts with sorrow. How do you go forward, how do you find hope?
Our hope is found in God’s comfort through the presence of the Holy Spirit, and His plan is being fulfilled for our good, even if we don’t understand it.
“But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:6–7)
In times of sorrow and suffering, meditate on this, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Pastor Cary Wacker