The Upper Room Devotional 11th September 2024 || Sitting with Sadness
Read and Study Today’s The Upper Room Daily Devotional for September 11, 2024 Message. God bless you as you study today! Please share with your friends and loved ones.
Topic: Sitting with Sadness
Jillian Bell (Ontario, Canada)
Today’s Reading
Proverbs 25:11-20
Thought for the Day
I will take time to listen to those who are hurting.
The Upper Room Devotional 11th September 2024 Message
Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. – Proverbs 25:20 (NIV)
Over the years, I have had people tell me, “Smile, it can’t be that bad!” or “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.” At times, I’ve confided in a friend about a problem, only to be reminded that others have it worse. To be honest, I’ve said and done the same. Pain — our own and others’ — makes us deeply uncomfortable, and in offering such words we try to move quickly through the difficult moments.
But God is teaching me to sit with my own grief, pain, and anxiety and that of others rather than trying to rush the healing process. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of lament. In the Psalms and in Ecclesiastes, negative emotions are poured out to God. And Jesus did not hesitate to share his fears with his heavenly Father as he faced death on the cross.
The Bible teaches us that the day will come when God will wipe away every tear (see Rev. 21:4) and turn our mourning into dancing (see Ps. 30:11). In the meantime, as we look with hope toward that future, we can be honest with ourselves and others about what we’re going through. So the next time a friend confides in me, instead of saying “God never gives us more than we can handle,” I’m just going to sit and listen.
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to listen to those who are hurting without trying to minimize their pain. Remind us that healing will come in your perfect timing. Amen.
Prayer Focus
To be an empathetic listener
Our Daily Bread September 11th, 2024 Devotional: Colors of Hope