“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to se; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak: A time to love, and a time to hate: a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made everything beautiful in his time; also he hath set the word in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Today’s Christian daily devotional
The tragedy of Sandy Hook has made everything about this morning feel hopeless and surreal. It’s noon and I’ve finally ventured out of our little apartment for some much needed fresh air and caffeine.
Upon locking my door, the elevator just around the corner beeps.
“Oh, please hold that!” I quickly jostle my key out of the lock and skip around the bend.
“Fancy seeing you here!” My neighbor, Gale has her hand draped across the sensor.
“I know, right?” I laugh as I press the lobby button. Although we share the same residence and floor, it’s a rare occasion to actually bump into Gale.
That light moment we shared was a welcome respite. My heart feels as if it has been filled with lead ever since the horrific news broke the day before.
“Can you believe what this world is coming to?” Shaking my head I turn towards Gale.
“It’s so bad that I don’t want to think about it.” Her smile didn’t budge as she continued to stare at the steel doors in front of us.
I nod my head in agreement. My eyes drift towards the floor, back to where I could feel my heart.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 we are told that it’s okay to mourn. Basic human psychology has proven that when one ignores the grieving process, the issue doesn’t go away. It usually shows up in another way.
In the cycle of life, we are guaranteed that there will be some ups and there will be some downs. And we can never truly appreciate those “good” days until we’ve suffered through some rough ones.
During those tough times, we have an opportunity to learn some excellent lessons. Our hearts might never be capable of grasping the concept of sensitivity and compassion without experiencing some kind of pain ourselves. Sometimes being vulnerable only helps us to connect a little bit better with our brothers and sisters of humanity.
So, if your heart is heavy, don’t cover it up; cry it out. Then, give that pain to the only one who is capable of mending your broken heart. God wants to do it, but He can’t if you won’t let Him.
As you walk thorough healing with your Heavenly Father, you will learn some valuable skills. You might be the one to help another walk through it when they need a shoulder to lean on.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to cry and I have been holding it back, because I’m trying to be strong.
But, you said in your word Jesus came to bind the wounds of the broken-hearted, to be a defender of the weak.
I cannot hide myself from you. You see my pain and you are very aware of my brokenness.
Today, I’m coming clean with you and myself. I cannot carry this burden anymore.
You said in your word that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. I give my burden to you. If you help me carry this, I will be able to carry it.
Heal me in those places that I have been trying to heal myself. Jehovah Rappha, you came to heal. In Jesus’ precious name, heal me and give me the patience and the faith to believe that you will in your time. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan