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READ: PSALMS 13:1-6; 37:23-24; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18\n\n\n\nAre you going through a really difficult time? Do you wonder if there\u2019s a way out? Perhaps you\u2019re overwhelmed with grief, anger, or frustration. When we\u2019re in the middle of painful situations, it can seem like they\u2019re never-ending.\n\n\n\nWill the hurt ever pass? Is this it? Am I trapped like this forever? We may ask ourselves, Who can help me? Why doesn\u2019t anyone understand?\n\n\n\nThese questions are totally natural when we\u2019re going through an intense season. Everyone has what I call the \u201cdark chapters\u201d in their lives. Some last hours, days, weeks, or even years. They can be excruciating. But all is not lost.\n\n\n\nThe world we live in has been broken by sin, and with it comes imperfection, failures, and trials\u2026but we don\u2019t suffer alone. We have a heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally, more than anyone can comprehend (Ephesians 3:19). He sent His Son, Jesus, to be God with us (Matthew 1:23). Jesus lived as a human, and He personally understands all the hurts and sorrows of life. Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins and rose again, so everyone who trusts in Him can become God\u2019s child. In every dark chapter, we can know that Jesus is with us, and we can look forward to the day He will return and make all things new and whole.\n\n\n\nEven when we think God is far away, He is with us, guiding us. And He can bring good even out of terrible situations (Romans 8:28). Just look at the Bible\u2014so many people went through incredible personal challenges. But in the midst of the dark chapters of our lives, God invites us to cry out to Him and honestly lament our pain\u2014this is why we have so many amazing lament psalms written by people like King David. Time and time again, God meets His people with His compassionate love and brings hope, even to situations that seem hopeless.\n\n\n\nSo, if you are currently struggling, remember that these moments will not last forever. They are episodes, chapters, life segments\u2026but not the whole picture. \u2022 Cindy Lee\n\n\n\n\u2022 What kinds of difficult things have you gone through? How have you seen God bring hope?\n\n\n\n\u2022 Are you in a \u201cdark chapter\u201d right now? In addition to talking to God, who can you be honest with about what you\u2019re experiencing? If you are in danger, tell a trusted adult right away.\n\n\n\n\u2022 Do you know anyone who is going through a difficult chapter in their life right now? How could you come alongside them today, perhaps through prayer, listening, or helping them?\n\n\n\nYet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:18 (NLT)