Are you feeling like no one understands what you’re going through? I’ve been there with a unique challenge, hardship, or a place that no one understands. I ask for help and the pity in someone’s eyes is there but the compassion isn’t.

Compassion is that ability to literally put yourself in someone else’s place. For example, I’ve never said to a widow, “I know what you are going through.” I don’t. I’ve never said to a cancer patient, “I know what you’re going through.” I don’t. I weep in prayer and search the Bible for answers but deep inside, the conviction remains, only God understands them.

Fasting in times of sorrow, affliction, repentance, and grief are appropriate.

God bottles your tears. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8, NLT) John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress said, “God preserves our tears in a bottle, so that He can wipe them away.” Isn’t that beautiful? I’ve wiped the tears of my wife and children from time to time. I’ve seen their sorrow turn to joy as hope arises.

Remember, God bottles your tears, He records them, and He wipe them all away. My prayer for you is that God will turn our times of fasting and mourning in festivals of joy and celebration! Easter is coming!

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.” (Zechariah 8:19, NLT)

Peace!