Many Troubled Souls

In the quiet moments before dawn, when the world is still and the weight of life feels heaviest, it's easy to dwell on our struggles. It’s in these moments that we forget the light that still surrounds us. We forget the small blessings that often go unnoticed, overshadowed by the loud cries of our problems.

In life, sorrow at times seems to walk hand in hand with people. The streets echo with cries for help, and despair weigh heavy in the hearts of many. Yet in the midst of this darkness, there is still a flicker of hope.

I know of someone who lies in bed, her body frail from illness, her spirit drained of hope. She stares at the ceiling, wondering why her prayers for healing seem unanswered. Yet, in her stillness, I’ll remind her of the words from Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Though she cannot see it, her tears are counted, and her pain is known by the One who never forgets.

There is someone whose marriage has crumbled into shards of anger and pain. Each word exchanged between husband and wife cuts deeper than the last, and bruises—both seen and unseen—mark the soul. But in her quiet moments, I’ll remind her to cling to the promise of 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

I know of a mother whose children no longer enjoy the pleasantries of childhood, their laughter thin as hunger gnaws at their bellies. School fees remain unpaid, bills increase and every night she wonders if the next dawn will bring relief or another day of uncertainty. I’ll encourage her to hold onto Matthew 6:26, remembering that the birds of the air neither sow nor reap, yet their heavenly Father feeds them. 

A child sits between parents who hurl accusations and bitter words like stones, each argument deepening the chasm between them. This child wonders if peace will ever dwell in her home again. I’m reminding her to recall Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." It is this peace she prays for, even as the walls shake with the echoes of anger and hatred.

I know a man whose heart is heavy with grief, for his beloved wife is gone, and loneliness now sleeps beside him. The days stretch long, and he is tired of bearing the weight of loss. But in his solitude, ill echo Psalm 147:3: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." He may never hold her again, but there is One who holds him in his sorrow. He may never have the opportunity to talk to her but God is open and ready for conversation.

There is someone, a woman who has longed for a child for years. Each month brings disappointment, and she wonders if she will ever cradle a baby of her own. I’m reminding her to remember Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 1:27: "For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition." Don’t loose hope, know that in God’s timing, miracles happen.

A father sits by his daughter’s bedside, watching her small body struggle through pain and sickness. He wishes he could take it all away, but knows he cannot. I’ll remind him to cling to Isaiah 41:10: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

I know of someone who no longer believes. Life has been cruel, and every prayer seems to fall into an empty void. They question if God ever existed, or if He has forgotten them entirely. But even in their doubt, Jeremiah 29:13 beckons: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Perhaps, in time, they will realize that He was there all along, in every tear, every question, every moment of doubt.

I know of parents who watch their child battle with a disability, their hearts heavy with sorrow as they witness the daily pain and struggle. They spend countless hours in prayer, searching for strength and pleading for relief, wondering how they might ease the burden their child bears. In their moments of desperation, I urge them to hold onto the words of Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Though they may not have the answers, I pray that they trust in the One who carries their child’s pain as His own, believing that even in the darkest times, divine comfort is near.

I know of a man who finds himself without work, his heart weighed down by the pressing need to provide for his family. The demands of daily life and the uncertainty of the future trouble his soul, as he struggles to meet both their needs and desires. In his distress, I’ll remind him to cling to the promise of Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Though the path ahead seems unclear, hold onto the hope that provision will come, trusting that the Lord is seeing his struggle and will make a way.

There is a person in physical pain, each day a battle just to move, to breathe, to survive. They wonder why healing has not come, why the burden remains. Revelation 21:4 says: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

I know of a friend who has been grappling with the chains of addiction, longing for the strength to break free as he watches his life spiral out of control. His heart is filled with hope, yet he feels trapped in a cycle he cannot escape. In his struggle, I'd remind him to cling to the truth of 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." Though the battle is fierce, hold onto the hope that freedom is possible, trusting that a way out is within reach.

I know of many troubled souls…

These are just but a few whom I recently talked to and visited.

But what if we paused? What if, just for a moment, we shifted our gaze from what’s missing to what’s still here? The warm embrace of a loved one, the roof over our heads, the simple fact that we’ve made it this far. Problems are ever-present, yes—but so, too, are the blessings that carry us through each day. Life may be hard, but woven within the struggle are glimmers of grace, if only we choose to see them. Remember, there is always light, even in the darkest night.

And so, as you reflect upon your struggles, remember that pain is universal. Look around and you will realize that there is always someone whose burdens are heavier, whose grief runs deeper. Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."

"Give thanks in all circumstances," says 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have. Above all, pray for one another, show empathy and give assistance where possible, for we are all  journeying through this fleeting world, a place marked by trials and tribulations at every turn. Be blessed 🙏