“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

I took the photographs as light rain fell from the sky. 

I had looked up from my task to see that the dusky sky had turned pink, the clouds from surrounding storms parting just enough to let the sunset through. What a gift, after a day of mostly rain, to see those pinks, purples, and yellows.

On cloudy mornings, there is usually a narrow window of light when the sun has just peeked over the horizon before being obscured by the gray. If you’re an early bird, you can usually catch it. If you’re a snoozer, then your entire day might seem like one big sodden cloud, just because you didn’t see that early golden light.

When the sun is blocked from view, we quickly forget it exists, and our world can become encased in a diminished fog. It’s a proven fact that Seasonal Affective Disorder, also called SAD (science didn’t go too deep with this one), is a real contributor to depression in the fall and winter months, due to the lack of exposure to natural light. When we don’t get enough sunlight, we, like plants, will wilt due to lack of vitamin and chemical production. Not getting enough light can disrupt our circadian rhythms, affecting our sleep-wake cycles.

Rain is another contributor to some people’s low moods. I’ve always appreciated a good rain, but lately we’ve been inundated.

It won’t be long, though, before a scorching summer drought will make us beg for rain. We will long for the cooler days and the soaking showers.

We humans are so fickle. It seems that we can only take so much of one thing before we need a change. God knows our weaknesses, and he knows our inconstant nature.

He also helps us carry our burdens and would gladly do it all for us:

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

I Peter 5:7 

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Psalm 55:22

But mourning is a process, and so is dealing with ongoing crises. Coping with family members’ and friends’ problems is also deeply troubling, for the empathy that helps us identify and connect us with their experiences can also overwhelm us too.

But God knows our needs, and He is good. How wonderful it is when we have a divinely appointed break in the burden to make the weight of it easier to bear:

A card with an encouraging message that shows up at just the right time.

A comforting dream.

A prayer for wisdom, and then a passage of Scripture comes to mind.

A joke, a laugh, or a story to lighten the mood.

A text from a family member, just to say “I love you.”

And a sunset, when God painted the sky with color and pattern as the sun broke through to finish the day, just as I was reflecting on individuals who are facing continued crises. 

As I stepped carefully through the puddles to see the sunset, the light rain continued to fall, just as tears do for those who are under the weight of grief, depression, abuse, stress, anxiety, self-doubt, addiction, and financial strain. 

For those who are battling continued health issues or a new diagnosis and ensuing treatment options.

For those who are struggling with the world’s problems and who are doing their best to “love their neighbors as themselves.”

For those who have conflict within their own families and for whom only a divine intervention could ever make things right.

For all of you, and for all of these things, there is a God in Heaven who will shine through the storms and bring relief. Look for it. Lift up your head, and you will see the break in the clouds and the Light beaming through.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalms 34:18