Thursday, October 23, 2025

Have you ever wondered if you somehow slipped under God's radar?

When really bad stuff happens, it's easy to feel forgotten and alone. It could have been a single word from the doctor that sent your life spinning out of control or the meeting at work about downsizing. Maybe it was the death of a close family member, or the death of a relationship you believed would last forever.

Where do you go when unforeseen trauma comes your way?

Coming Out of the Shadows

Some naturally turn to friends and family for comfort. But many of us are more inclined to exercise our right to remain silent. The problem is that keeping quiet leaves us isolated and stuck, unable to move forward.

Inviting someone into your pain is one of the best ways to open the door for healing.

We were never called to carry the heavy stuff by ourselves. Inviting a trusted friend, or even a professional counselor, into the pain is one of the best ways to open the door for healing to begin. Psalm 34:18 assures us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those crushed in spirit.”      

An Embarrassing Moment

If you're having trouble imagining your situation ever getting better, you're not alone.

It took an embarrassing meltdown in public to realize how deeply I was grieving my mom’s death. After months of isolating myself in the sadness, I was surprised one night when out-of-control tears started flowing. Not the pretty kind of tears, either. Thanks to the tearful tsunami, my friends were able to intercede asking the Lord to remove some of the pain. And He did.

God has not forgotten about you, either. If you're stuck in a painful place, would you ask Him to reveal your next step toward healing?

Don’t Waste the Pain

Zac Smith was a young staff member at a large church when he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 32. Tragically, Zac passed away a year later.

The way Zac and his family—his wife and their children faced this battle has been a powerful testimony of God’s grace and mercy. Those who know their story have seen the truth of Zac’s profound words: "God is still God, and God is still good."

A year after Zac’s passing, a pastor shared a conversation with Zac’s daughter, Lizzy, who was 12 at the time. They talked about grief and the signs of healing. Lizzy shared that she felt she was healing when she wanted to use her story to help someone else. What a remarkable insight from such a young heart.

May we all experience what Lizzy discovered: that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. Even in our deepest pain, the Lord can bring His goodness. To God be the glory.