God is Close to the Brokenhearted – Feeling His Presence

A vibrant stained glass heart with a visible crack running through it. The colorful glass pieces are illuminated by soft light, casting radiant reflections, symbolizing grief and healing." — Broken yet beautiful, the stained glass heart reminds us of God’s light shining through our pain.

Introduction to God is Close to the Brokenhearted

In our last post, Grief Is a Natural Response – Jesus Wept, we explored how grief is a reflection of love and how even Jesus, in His humanity, wept over those He loved. In this next part of the series, we will dive deeper into the promises of God’s presence during our darkest hours and how we can recognize His hand at work even in the midst of sorrow. Now let’s look at how God is close to the brokenhearted.

A man kneeling in prayer outdoors during a dark and violent storm, with swirling clouds, heavy rain, and lightning in the background. A faint ray of light breaks through the storm, illuminating the man and symbolizing hope and God's presence. — In the midst of the storm, faith shines as a beacon of hope.

God is Close to the Brokenhearted in Our Darkest Hour

Grief has a way of amplifying every emotion, and for me, one of the most overwhelming feelings was anger. I was furious with God for taking Wendy. She was such a vital part of our family and our church, making an incredible impact with her unwavering faith and devotion. She was much more diligent in her daily walk with God than I was. Why would He take her and not me? It felt so unfair. We had so many plans—traveling more, enjoying retirement, and simply growing old together. All of that was suddenly ripped away, and I was left with the aching void of her absence.

In my frustration, I cried out to God, “Why did You take her? It’s not fair!” The silence was deafening until, in that stillness, God placed a question on my heart: What if Christ had asked why He had to die for Raymond and how was that fair?

That question brought me to my knees. I realized I was so consumed with what I had lost that I had lost sight of what I had been blessed with. Wendy’s life was a gift—one filled with love, memories, and blessings that I could never fully repay. Christ’s sacrifice was the ultimate act of love, and in that moment, my perspective began to shift.

A collage image showing four scenes: a person writing a heartfelt card, someone sending a supportive text message, two neighbors talking warmly over a fence, and a person speaking on the phone with empathy. Warm light connects the scenes, symbolizing God’s love through human acts of kindness. — God works through others to bring comfort and hope to the brokenhearted.

God didn’t just leave me to wrestle with this realization on my own. He began to use people to help me through the darkness. A friend sent a heartfelt text message. Another called just as I was feeling the weight of despair. Cards and hugs came when I needed them most. None of these moments were coincidences—they were evidence of God’s sustaining presence.

A glowing cross illuminated in the dark, standing alone in a shadowy setting with soft beams of light radiating outward, symbolizing hope and God's presence. — In the darkest moments, the cross shines as a beacon of hope and peace.

Recognizing God’s Presence in Sorrow

In the depths of grief, it can be easy to miss how God is working. Our pain often blinds us to His presence. But when we take a moment to reflect, we can begin to see His hand at work—not just in big, miraculous moments, but in the small, everyday acts of love and care that surround us.

For me, these moments were unmistakable. A phone call during a time of despair wasn’t a random act—it was God moving someone’s heart to reach out. A card in the mail with just the right words wasn’t a coincidence—it was His way of speaking directly to me through others. A hug from a friend that lingered a little longer than usual was a tangible reminder of His comfort.

Sometimes, recognizing God’s presence in sorrow requires us to look intently. It’s not always obvious in the moment, but as we make it through the storm, we often look back and see how God was at work all along. It’s in the quiet moments, the unexpected kindnesses, and the people He places in our lives that we find His sustaining presence.

As we walk through grief, it’s essential to keep our hearts open to these moments. God’s promise in Psalm 34:18 remains true:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (NLT).

His presence is always near, even when it feels like the darkness is closing in.

Previous Posts in This Series

Call to Action

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