For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.
--Lamentations 3:31-33

Warren Wiersbe once relayed the story of a grieving woman traveling by train. She recognized fellow passenger F.B. Meyer, a famous preacher and evangelist, and went to share her burden with him.

For many years she had cared for her crippled daughter who brought her great joy in life. However, her daughter had recently died and she was miserable. Each day, she felt more alone with only an empty house to come home to after work.

Meyer listened carefully to her story and then said, “When you get home…say aloud, ‘Jesus, I know You are here!’ and be ready to greet Him. …Tell Him what has happened during the day…just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, ‘Jesus, I know You are here!’”

Several months later, Meyer ran into the same woman again, but this time he didn’t recognize her. Her face radiated with joy instead of misery. She said, “I did as you told me and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him.”

If you have lost a loved one, it is natural to have feelings of loneliness. But you can find comfort and love in the presence of Jesus. Express your sorrow freely before the Lord and He will turn your grief into joy (see John 16:20). Simply draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Call out to Jesus and talk to Him openly in times of grief. Ask Him to comfort you and eventually turn your sorrow to peace and joy.

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