Are you weary and heavy laden? Burdened with cares?

I pray you will find the Bible verses shared inspirational and encouraging to you. Comforting, giving you hope (wish I could give the hurting a big hug).

God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity Ps 68:6

Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the one who trusts in Him. Ps 34:8

You know I was pondering having a ticking time bomb inside me (an aneurysm in my spleen). And kind of laughing thinking how maybe I shouldn’t have prayed (more than once), ‘Teach me to number my days (Oh Lord) that I might apply my heart to wisdom’. (Ps 90:12)

And I reflected (in humor) how my days must be planned to be REALLY long, because sometimes it doesn’t seem like my wisdom is growing at all as fast as I would like. But even in that I just need to trust Him, letting Him do the work. I apply myself to it, and He will teach me. We do need to make an effort to get into His Word with the right motive — His approval (2 Tim 2:15).

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart >TO my knowledge;
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,
So that your trust may be in the LORD;
I have instructed you today, >> even you. (Yes, even me Lord…)
Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,
That > I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you?
Prov 22:17-21

This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. Ps 119:50

God desires we know His Word. It is not to be hidden from us, but found as we seek Him in it, with His approval, humbled and asking for help to understand, and in trust that He will teach us and guide us into all truth as we continue to be Berean’s, continuing in His Word to become disciples (2 Tim 2:15; 2 Tim 3:14-17; 1 Pet 5:5-7) John 16:13; 1 John 2:20; John 8:31-32)

Back to me thinking of the possibility I could go in a moment, (of course I should know this) I also remember that not one of us are promised tomorrow (James 4:13-14). We all assume we will be here for tomorrow, but we just don’t know if we will wake up, or drop dead where we sit, or perish in some accident. The Lord shows us all over His Word how frail we are, and He shown me many, many times in my life, I can lose a loved one in an instant. 

We need to be ready. It’s appointed to every single person, once to die, then the judgment (Heb 9:27). There are no second chances, so if you do not know where you are going, please consider this link from Northland Bible Church.

How can I do for the Lord?

Even if it seems like we can’t ‘do’ for the Lord because of some weaknesses or infirmities, that is not the case. We can pray like the widows did (Luke 2:37; Luke 18:1-8), it matters! Or I think on Paul who said to the Galatians, that because of his infirmity he brought the gospel to them in the beginning (Gal 4:13). He prayed and asked for the Lord to heal him, but here was his answer:

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:8-10

May I always remember that (even though I won’t). What a thought, to have the power of Christ resting on us…

So we got a call yesterday from a doctor’s office. My husband has two more melanoma’s on his back. One is near where the large crater was (four inches wide and more than an inch deep). We had a terrible bleeding incident on the way home after that surgery, and it never closed right. We had to pack the wound and plenty of follow-ups, it was a mess. We see the surgeon tomorrow to see how he will proceed and whether it will be two surgeries (since they have to cut in two places for each one). They follow the flow to the nearest lymph nodes and cut some out to biopsy them for each area. They go at least ½ inch deeper and wider (all around) than whatever the size of the melanoma is, to catch what they can.

My husband does not complain, and rarely is concerned, but this time he voiced that he is not looking forward to being cut on again. Please pray for wisdom and comfort for him. For courage for us both. And mostly that in this we will keep our focus in keeping our eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:1-2) and to maybe be able to be bold to leave some gospel booklets in the right place (Eph 6:18-19), or possibly be blessed with the opportunity to be able to even give one to someone, and maybe talk to them. (Is 52:7; Rom 10:14-17).

Above all, try not to worry by giving it to God (cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you). Ask for the prayers of the saints, rejoice always (Phil 4:4-8), think on good things, give thanks to God for He is good (Ps 107). All good gifts are from Him (James 1:17).

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Weep with those who weep

And dear friends, it’s hard for us not to give advice when someone requests prayer. Some is very helpful, but do it carefully, prayerfully and sparingly if it is medical etc. 

The reason I say this, in the case of one recently (unfortunately), it can be some ungodly ‘religious’ advice. If it doesn’t come to you in the manner of Isaiah 55:10-11, reject it. People should weep with those who weep, and bear one another’s burdens so fulfilling the law of Christ (Rom 12:15; Gal 6:1). Pray and do not lose heart! (Lk 18:1). Take it a little at a time with His help. Abide in Him and continue in His Word, choose the good part which will never be taken from you (Lk 10:38-42)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matt 6:33-34

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Ps 147:3

My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works. Ps 73:26,28

Many of these are passages that have personally moved me, but this passage is one has a special place in my heart.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who ^B)wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Is 40:29-31

This passage speaks to the remnant of Israel after the Tribulation, but it is applicable to those of us who love Him.

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph 3:17

It also reminds me of this passage:

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
The Lord willcommand His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life. Ps 42:7-8 

Bible verses for Pain, Sorrow, Grief

Here are some more Bible verses for sorrow. These are way more important then my words above. (Add your own in the comments, I’ll edit them in to the article). The first verse is in outline form as I like to do for myself sometimes to emphasize thoughts/reasons/context, etc. Remember, the Word was written ahead of time for our comfort, for hope… How awesome is that? (Rom 15:4)

Blessed be God,
even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

THAT > we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,

BY > the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

FOR AS > the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

And whether we be afflicted,

IT IS FOR >your consolationand salvation(deliverance, they are already saved eternally),

WHICH IS >> effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer:

or whether we be comforted,

IT IS FOR > for your consolation and salvation.

And our hope of you is stedfast,

KNOWING THAT > as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 2 Cor 1:3-7

Weeping endures for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Ps 30:5b)

Read all of Psalm 103 (following is verses 11-14), as a Father, He is very aware and compassionate towards our weaknesses

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Do you ever feel like you just are ‘clinging to the dust’ or that even your soul is melting? Cling to Him.

My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.
I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 
Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word. Ps 119:25-28

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Ps 63:1,8

The Lord has appeared of old to me,saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. Jer 31:3,25 

Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence.
If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. Ps 94:17-19

Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. Ps 143:11

Why do You hide Your face, And forget our affliction and our oppression?
For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground.
Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake. Psalm 44:24-26

And I said, “My strength and my hope Have perished from the Lord.”

Remember my affliction and roaming, The wormwood and the gall.
My soul still remembers And sinks within me.

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord. Lam 3:18-26

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah Ps 62:1-4

For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea.
They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end.

Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.
Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!  Ps 107:25-32

Jesus understands and cares about our sorrows and worries

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:35-39

You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.
In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Ps 56:8-11

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Ps. 34:18

All the disciples were clean (except Judas – according to Jesus in John 11). They had believed on Him because He had the ‘words of eternal life’ (John 6:68-69). But we see frequently Jesus saying, ‘oh ye of little faith’… He knew them. He knew their weaknesses, comforted them, tell them not to be troubled. He loved them and would send them a helper who would bring His Word to our remembrance. Man cannot live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds out of His mouth…

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Matt 6:25-33

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

I am exceedingly^{Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.  Ps 119:107}

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

1 Peter 1:3-7; Psalm 23; Psalm 86:14-17; Is 12:1-5