A Balm for Wounded Hearts
By Bethany Moon, Houston, TX
Teardrops ricocheted off of my steering wheel while “The Next Right Thing” from the Frozen 2 soundtrack blared from the speakers in my car. The sky was a hazy Houston blue with those cotton candy looking clouds wispily draping the horizon. It was May 2020, and the world was shut down. The desolate roads matched the heaviness in my heart, and I felt completely alone, terrified by what I knew would happen over the next week. My Memaw was dying. I was on my way to her house to help care for her in her final days. Grief overwhelmed me, and I found myself questioning how to navigate the pain and loneliness. Every moment felt too much to bear, each breath labored, dripping with sadness and ache.
As I drove, the significance of the song playing in my car became apparent. My two-year-old daughter’s obsession with Elsa had led us to listen to the Frozen 2 soundtrack endlessly. When I plugged my phone in that day, that soundtrack automatically started, and I was too preoccupied to change it. In the midst of my despair, “The Next Right Thing” struck a chord. The lyrics captured the depth of my emotions, as Anna sings, "I've seen dark before but not like this/ This is cold, this is empty, this is numb/ The life I knew is over, the lights are out/ Hello, darkness, I'm ready to succumb." Engulfed in the song's melancholy, I sobbed, feeling hopeless and alone. I felt trapped in the darkness of my fear and forlornness until I yelled “Enough!” You see, I had forgotten I was none of those things. I possessed something powerful: hope. I had the mighty God on my side, the One who promises comfort, protection, and strength in His word. Psalm 91 offers solace and inspiration for those navigating through grief. This profound psalm provides comfort and reassurance in times of trouble, particularly in the face of heartache and sorrow. Through its vivid imagery and poignant promises, Psalm 91 offers a refuge for the grieving soul, reminding us of the unwavering protection and presence of God.
The psalmist begins by proclaiming, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). In the midst of despair, this verse encourages us to seek solace and refuge in the loving embrace of God. It assures us that when we dwell in His presence, we are sheltered under His shadow, guarded from the storms of sorrow that threaten to overwhelm us. The psalmist further emphasizes the steadfast protection of God by stating, "I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust'" (Psalm 91:2). In the depths of grief, when everything seems uncertain and fragile, this verse serves as a reminder to place our trust in the unwavering strength of God. He is our refuge, a safe haven where we can find rest and strength.
Throughout the psalm, the psalmist paints a vivid picture of God's unfaltering safekeeping and care. He writes, "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler" (Psalm 91:4). Just as a mother bird gathers her chicks under her wings to shield them from harm, God offers His loving protection to those who turn to Him in grief. His truth becomes a shield, safeguarding us from the arrows of despair and providing a place of comfort and healing. In times of grief, fear often takes hold of our hearts. Yet, Psalm 91 assures us that we need not be consumed by fear. The psalmist declares, "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day" (Psalm 91:5). Through these words, we find courage and strength to face the darkest moments of affliction. We are reminded that God's abiding presence dispels fear, replacing it with a sense of peace and security.
Psalm 91 continues to unfold with promises of God's provision, divine angels guarding us, and His faithful presence in times of trouble. Each verse speaks to the deep longing of the grieving soul for solace and hope. It reminds us that even in the midst of misery, we are not alone. God is with us, guiding us through the valley of sorrow, and offering comfort in His presence. During those times, some other Bible verses provide further support and encouragement for those navigating through the troubles of this life:
Matthew 5: 4: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." This verse from the Sermon on the Mount reminds us that God offers comfort to His children who mourn the suffering and tribulation brought on by sin, yet He provides solace and healing to the grieving heart.
2 Corinthians 1 :3-4: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." These verses highlight that God not only comforts us in our grief but also equips us to comfort others who are experiencing similar trials.
Psalm 34: 18: "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." This verse assures us that in our brokenness, God draws near to us, providing solace and rescue for our hurting hearts.
Isaiah 41: 10: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." These words of God spoken through the prophet Isaiah remind us that even in the depths of grief, God is with us, offering His strength and support.
During the days leading up to Memaw’s passing, her house buzzed with visitors coming to bid her farewell. She and my grandfather have always had an open, revolving door policy. People and hospitality were part of their ministry. Even though we were all collectively grieving, we could still find joy in celebrating her legacy. We decided to wait for the world to open up again to do her memorial service on the anniversary of her passing. As we celebrated her life, we enjoyed comfort and healing in her legacy. We felt relief in knowing that we can take refuge in God’s presence, trust in His promises, and lean on Him for strength and healing. May we find assurance in God's unwavering protection, shelter, and love. In the depths of grief, may these verses be a balm for our wounded hearts, reminding us that God walks beside us, offering solace, strength, and inspiration on our journey of healing.