Silent Screams

On this day of suicide awareness and the anniversary of a traumatic time in the history of our country... this September 11th, 2022 remember those who are hurting. You may not understand their pain, may not even see their struggle, but know this, the pain they feel is real and as Jesus would have done, walk with them.

Now to those who are hurting...

The exploration of the burdened heart.

The way might be difficult and lonely, the path obscure and narrow. It may feel as though you've been abandoned but you are not alone. God is there. He is always there. If your heart is so heavy you have nothing left, God hears your silent prayer and understands your misery and walks with you.

Silent are the screams of the broken as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

As the giants, ogres, and satyr approach and you open your mouth but no sound comes out you are hopeless. You are without hope.

Fear has gripped your soul. Your feet barely move at all, yet when they do; you are sinking, sinking deeper. You are broken. Your soul has no song that it can sing.

When friends, family, and community reject you and you are all alone; we have this promise... the promise that God will take us as his own. God's love isn't based on earthly performance based love. God's love transcends our love for him. God has said, "He who has a broken and contrite heart, I will look toward."

There are times in our lives when we face things that are bigger than we are, bigger than our capabilities, dreams that continually crash or never materialize, sold out by those who are supposed to love, and we feel as though we're holding the weight of the world.

We're not alone. Even if it feels like it or it seems like the whole world is against us, there are many people feeling like this.

Psalm 56:8 ESV says

"You have kept count of my tossings;  put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?"

This earth is broken since the first sin of mankind, and from that time until now pain and suffering continues to exist.

Romans 8:22, 23 ESV says

"For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."

This redemption will fully be realized when Jesus returns to judge sin and its effects. If, in your pain you've trusted him, you will receive a new body and everlasting life.

As I write this, Ukraine has been under attack for quite a while. They have rallied around a cause that seemed impossible and yet continue to hold on in spite of facing a much larger foe with greater capabilities. Many civilians are still in their cities trying to survive even though daily supplies are cut off from them. Their desperation is causing many to cry out to God. There have been reports of food being distributed to them in various cities that are cut off from normal supply. God is there working with his people.

What can I say. The desperation of mankind in various seasons cause either a rejection of God or a reaching out to him.

People have gotten sick, been oppressed, persecuted, killed, since the beginning of time or since mankind first sinned. The whole world groans under the weight of sin.

While on the cross Jesus cried out "My God, My God why have you forsaken me". The present circumstances were overwhelming and he felt so alone.  Jesus was not alone, his divinity was still present but letting his humanity suffer so it might be said "He experienced pain to the extent that no human pain exceeds it". Jesus has promised those who follow him, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you". It is here our sorrow can be broken. It is here our pain can be worked through. Jesus feels what you are going through and is speaking on your behalf. He may not remove the sorrow, he may not remove the pain, yet he is with you each step of the way. Immanuel, God with us.

The way might be difficult and lonely, the path obscure and narrow. It may feel as though you've been abandoned but you are not alone. God is there. He is always there. If your heart is so heavy you have nothing left, God hears your silent prayer and understands your misery and walks with you.

Jesus had the pain of those close to him rejecting him, abandoning him, and selling him outright to those who wanted him dead. He understands how you feel and walks with you.