Peace When You Are Feeling Left Behind - Your Nightly Prayer - October 26th

Peace When You’re Feeling Left Behind

Your Nightly Prayer

By Sophia Bricker 

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Time seemed to stand still after the death of my mother. And if I’m honest, nothing ever since that day has felt normal. I was nineteen years old and struggling with the reality that I would never get to talk to her again or see her smile. My mother would never see me graduate from college. In many ways, life had come to a screeching halt.

Is it any wonder that I have often felt behind in life? The focus of a young girl who has experienced loss will naturally not be the same as that of her peers. While those around me were forming friend groups, making progress toward a career, and even getting engaged and married, I was merely trying to survive each day, stumbling through the darkness of death and grief. And even now, years later, there are still times when I feel as if I have been left behind as the same girl crying for her mother and all that was lost.

Perhaps you can relate. Any of us can feel as if we are merely observers, viewing the lives of others unfolding as if through a window, all while our own stands still. The world has even made it easier for us to do so through social media. We can literally sit back and observe life from behind the window of our screens, scrolling through feeds of smiling images. From that perspective, it is easy to compare and note all the areas where we have fallen short of where we think we should be.

God’s Word tells us a different story. The Lord is not more active in certain seasons of life than in others, as if He is a fair-weather friend who chooses to walk with us only in positive times. No, for our Lord has promised to be with us always (Psalm 23:4; Matthew 28:20). He is with us in those milestone moments and our grief. In fact, the Bible says God is near the brokenhearted. He walks with us through the dark valleys of life, and during these times, we can lean closer to our Savior.

Though our journeys might not look the same as others, the Lord is still with us and working in our lives. We can trust that He is not only with us in our brokenhearted state but has also promised to heal and bind up the wounds of our hearts (see Psalm 147:3). May we learn to stop comparing and entrust our stories to the great Author and Healer. With Him, we will never be left behind.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Author and Perfecter of Faith,
Sometimes I consider the lives of those around me, and I feel I am not where I should be. Others seem far ahead on the road of life, while I am stuck in the same problems, sorrow, and situation. I don’t understand why. But You remind me that despite my tears and feelings, You are with me, nearer than my closest friends and family. Help me grasp the promise of Your presence, trusting that You will bring peace to the turmoil in my heart. Turn my eyes away from the screens, where it is far too easy to compare, and instead set my gaze on You, Jesus.
In Your name, I pray.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. A window. It allows individuals to see the outside world, similar to how social media will enable us to catch glimpses of the lives of others. How might the imagery of a window help you “close” the curtain or blinds on technology when you feel tempted to compare – or to board up the window altogether?

2. Your favorite story in Scripture. Did the people involved know the outcome of their lives? What might you learn from this example about how God works in people’s lives?

3. The identity of Jesus as Friend and Shepherd. How could His care and closeness encourage you when you feel like you’ve been left behind? Remember: Jesus is the Shepherd who left the ninety-nine for the one lost sheep and knows every sheep that belongs to Him (see Luke 15:4 and John 10:14).

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Benjamin Voros

Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site  Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.

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