Living in a Sad World

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

PSALM 34:18

THE WORLD AROUND US can be scary and sad at times. There may be things happening that we don’t understand. Our parents may be worried. We may see news stories and hear about unhappy events that are happening around us. We may not even understand why people are upset; we just know something isn’t right.

When life doesn’t seem to be going the right way or everything around us feels out of control, sadness can take over. We don’t know how to feel about what’s happening. But God sees everything that happens. He knows when we feel out of control and out of place. He also knows our world is broken and that bad things happen.

God is always the same, though. He can take the broken pieces of our world and our hearts and mend them. So when life seems overwhelming and sad, we can depend on God to always be right there, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He never falters or gives up on us, and he can help us feel better when the world is scary or sad.

DO

Wrap your arms around yourself in a hug. Now think about one or two things happening in the world that make you sad. For each thing you think of, squeeze tight, giving yourself a hug. Remember that God is like this—he’s always right here, ready to give you a comforting hug.

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for understanding that our world can be scary and sad. Please remind me to come to you when things around me seem out of control. I know you will make me feel better. Amen.

READ

Psalm 55:22; John 14:1