My Jesus: From Heartache to Hope

by Anne Wilson

Where can I find a firm foundation when the world around me is crumbling? Jesus. Where can I find comfort in the middle of my mourning? Jesus. Who offers me rest when I’m past the point of weary? Jesus. Who can make a broken heart beat again? Jesus.

Who loves me unconditionally? Jesus Who can work all things for my good? Jesus.

“Jesus, thank You for dying for me and forgiving me of every bad thing I’ve ever done. I feel so free with You now, unashamed to stand in Your presence. I want You to be my Lord and my Savior both now

and forever. I always want to feel this kind of love. I surrender to You completely.” I went all in on Jesus because He had given all for me.

He is the God who enters real life with us and makes His presence known in everyday situations, because He wants a personal relationship with us. That is why the Son of God came, died, and rose again.

This is the word of faith that we preach: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:8–9 mev

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 mev

In that moment, I realized we could try to survive this in our own strength or we could turn to the One—the only One—who could get us through it. I knew I could never endure this without God, so I wasn’t angry with Him. Instead, I clung to Him; He was all I had.

Psalm 56:8 says, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (nlt).

God is real, and God is good.

“What if the point of Job wasn’t why God allows suffering, but how God is present in our suffering?”

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,

and saves the contrite of spirit. Psalm 34:17–18 mev

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 nasb).

That, too, is worship, because worship is a posture of your heart—a turning toward God—and acknowledging who He really

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 nlt

“Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”

“The devil will never tell you there is no hell, and he will never tell you there is no heaven. He will only tell you that there is no hurry. But the Word of God says,

‘Today is the day of salvation.’ Today if you hear the voice of the Lord, do not harden your heart.”

Bible says, the One who called me would be faithful to bring it to completion, and I could leave it in His hands (Philippians 1:6).

When your pain and sorrow go deep, God’s love goes deeper.

“God, don’t waste an ounce of this pain. Work all of this for my good and Your glory.” We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 nasb

As I sat there, I often read the Word of God, reminding myself of the greatest truth—that Jesus defeated sin and death once and for all. I love the words of 1 Corinthians 15:55 and 57, which say, “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? . . . But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (mev).

I was reminded of the words of Psalm 27:5, which say, “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” (niv).

At my lowest point, I gave God the costliest gift I had to offer—worship from a broken heart.

But only here on earth can I praise Him in the middle of pain and loss. He honors and delights in worship coming from a broken heart—a heart that

declares, “God, even now—even in this—You are good.”

And yet, out of our suffering and trouble, God will establish us deeper in truth, in relationship with Him and even in Him—if we allow it.

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 nasb

If He were the Author of this story, why would I ever try to take the pen?

When the pain, memories, and what-ifs overwhelm you, surrender them to God. Take every thought captive to the truth (2 Corinthians 10:5). Give God what you yourself cannot bear.

Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 mev

As I read the Word that night, I came to Psalm 59:16–17: But I will sing of Your power; I will sing aloud of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my refuge and escape in the day of my trouble. To You, O my strength, I will sing,

for God is my refuge, and the God of my lovingkindness. (mev)

I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:13–14 nlt

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my doorstep, waiting at my doorway. –Proverbs 8:34

A life of faith involves risk. How could it be genuine faith if there were no risk—nothing we had to step out and believe God for?

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3 nlt

being reminded that in a changing world, my God was unchanging.

We seek help from professionals in almost every other area of life: auto repair, construction, plumbing, and health care. There is no shame in finding a professional to help walk you through difficult things in your life.

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 nkjv

Hebrews 4:11 says we must strive to enter into the rest of God and not succumb to unbelief.

One of my favorite verses is Romans 5:3–5, which says we should rejoice in our sufferings because they lead to perseverance, which leads to character, which leads to hope. And hope does not disappoint.

But the greatest joy will be when I see the face of the One who walked with me through my deepest pain—the One who wove together all the beautiful moments of my life—and I run into the arms of my Jesus.

His Word has been “a lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105 nkjv),

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 nasb