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b'Have you ever felt depressed or faced discouragement? When you\\u2019re in pain, talk with God, even if it\\u2019s just to be mad. Remember: two-thirds of the Psalms are complaints.\\nPsalm 73 is my favorite gripe. Asaph is mad and deeply discouraged. He concludes that following God is a waste of time. He describes himself as \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153a brute beast before\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d God (verse 22).\\nI\\u2019ve identified with that many times. I\\u2019ve met God in my failure, my frustration, my falling to sin. You too may meet Him in those ways, or in illness, a broken relationship, loss, or a lifelong burden. And it\\u2019s too easy to feel that God is distant or separated from you. In truth, Jesus is there with us in the darkness.\\nIn the midst of his misery, Asaph prays, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d (verse 23). He connects with God in the midst of his struggle. God is already there. We could say that he invites God into his pain.\\nHere\\u2019s the good part: When we go to Jesus, our situation may not change, but we do. Our Lord always points us somewhere\\u2014upward. Asaph continues, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d (verses 24-25).\\nIn Christ, we have true hope\\u2014no matter what\\u2014because we have a Savior in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). A Savior who will one day completely destroy sin, death, and suffering (Revelation 21:1-5). A Savior who knows what our hurts feel like (Hebrews 4:14-16). A Savior who is with us through it all (Matthew 28:20). We can meet Jesus in our pain. \\u2022 Peter Lundell\\n\\u2022 Think about when you\\u2019ve been in pain. Can you see how God was there with you? \\n\\u2022 Have you ever gone to Jesus in the midst of your pain? What was it like?\\n\\u2022 If you\\u2019re wrestling with depression or other deep pain and need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.\\nMy flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nColossians 1:13-23'