No one in this life is exempt from pain and sorrow. They travel together seeking the next victim as their prey. Pain and sorrow look for any opportunity to strike. The fruit of their labor is depression, hopelessness, and bitterness. Their victims are too numerous to count. Look around you. They are found in every town and village.
Pain is not always physical. It is often concealed behind a smiling face in the heart and emotions. It may hide a buried sorrow. It is often easier to hide the pain than deal with it. Emotional pain is real, as a result of being hurt by someone. Such pain can be carried as silent sorrow. The victims of pain and sorrow have questions. Will it always be this way? Does anyone really care?
Hope comes to those who live with pain and sorrow. Many are afraid to trust hope for a better day. Sorrow defies hope, saying, "It will never get better. This is the way it has to be." Hope does not give up. Hope comes to the heart burdened with pain and sorrow. Hope brings good news. Yes, God cares. He welcomes the call for help. Hope encourages and comforts. "Now hope does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5).
Hope comes not alone to those who know pain and sorrow. Hope brings faith. It is faith that teaches those in pain and sorrow to trust God, even when they don't understand. Faith and hope introduce one who is greater. He is love. "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Love cares about pain. Love comforts those who sorrow. Faith receives hope and love. "And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).
