This past week, I experienced the sudden loss of a friend. And once again, I found myself facing the reality that life can change in a moment.
There are some losses you have time to prepare for. You know they are coming. You have conversations, you say your goodbyes, and you begin to process what life will look like without someone you love. But sometimes loss comes without warning. And when it does, it can leave you stunned.
As I’ve experienced another personal loss recently, I have been reminded again just how hard life can be. Life is full of surprises, challenges, disappointments, and moments that can leave you emotionally drained.
Sometimes you simply don’t understand. Sometimes you don’t know what to say. Sometimes you don’t even know what to pray.
And yet, the strange thing about life is that life keeps moving. The next morning comes. There are still responsibilities. There are still people who need you.
There are emails to answer, decisions to make, conversations to have, places to go and people to lead.
The world doesn’t stop just because your heart is hurting. So what do you do with all of it? You look to Jesus.
I know that can sound overly spiritual. I know it can sound like the easy Christian answer. But I’m not trying to be overly spiritual or trite. I truly mean it.
I have found myself looking to Jesus again.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me … and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28–29
Notice what Jesus didn’t say.
He didn’t say, “Come to me and I’ll explain everything.” He didn’t say, “Come to me and you’ll understand why this happened.” He didn’t say, “Come to me and I’ll make the pain disappear.”
He simply said, “Come to me.”
So that’s what I am learning to do.
I grieve. I cry. I remember. I ask God for comfort. I tell Him when I don’t understand. I bring Him the questions I can’t answer. And sometimes, when there is no explanation, I trust. Trust doesn’t mean I understand. Trust means I believe that even when I don’t understand, God is still good.
There are moments when faith isn’t about having answers. Sometimes faith is simply knowing who to hold onto when you don’t have answers.
And that’s what Jesus has been for me: Comfort. Strength. Hope. Solace. A place to bring the weight I’m carrying. A reminder that I don’t have to carry it alone.
I don’t know what your week was like last week. And I don’t know what this week will bring.
Maybe you’re walking through something wonderful. Maybe you’re carrying something nobody else knows about. Maybe you’re grieving a loss. Maybe you’re exhausted from trying to keep everything together. Maybe you’re asking God questions you don’t know how to answer.
Whatever you’re facing, I want to remind you of this: You have One who understands you completely and fully. Jesus knows what it is to experience sorrow. He knows what it is to weep. He knows what it is to feel the weight of suffering. He knows. And He will never leave you or forsake you.
So, if life feels heavy right now, don’t feel like you have to pretend that you’re okay. Grieve. Cry. Talk to God. Ask Him for comfort. Bring Him your questions. And when you don’t understand, trust Him.
Come to Jesus. Not because He always gives us an explanation, but because He gives us His presence. Not because He promises a life without pain, but because He promises that we don’t have to walk through the pain alone.
I have found much comfort, strength, and solace in Him. And maybe that’s what you need today too.
Come to Him. He is there. And He understands.