By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
The COVID-19 quarantine has taken its toll on us all, but some are suffering more than others. My heart breaks for those dying from this terrible virus; my heart breaks even more because so many are dying alone. Because of the quarantine, many family members cannot be at the hospital with their loved ones at a time when they need them the most. I can’t even imagine!
Recently, things started hitting a little too close to home. (That’s when something becomes real, isn’t it—when it infiltrates your own sphere?) Suddenly, people that I personally knew were being diagnosed. People that I knew were going to the hospital. People that I knew were in a coma on a ventilator. And that’s when it happened; my heart broke. The burden of grief had to be released. That’s when the floodgates burst open and my tears began to flow.
“My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long” (Psalm 6:3)?
I am reminded that God sees our heartache and He grieves with us. In fact, the shortest verse in the Bible says, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).
Do you know why Jesus wept?
John 11:33 gives us a clue, “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.”
Jesus was not weeping for Lazarus, for He knew what he was about to do—raise Lazarus from the dead. What brought Jesus to tears was seeing those he loved grieving.
Jesus sees each tear we cry, and He truly cares. The knowledge of this brings me comfort and peace, peace that passes all understanding. The truth is… we are never alone, not even when we grieve.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Jesus is no stranger to heartache, pain, and suffering. He lived. He died. And He was raised to new life. He did all of that just so that you and I could spend eternity with Him forever, where there is no more pain, suffering, or heartache.
Heavenly Father, I’m comforted to know that you grieve with us. You see each tear that falls. You are close to us in our heartache, and you truly care. Lord, please bring an end to this worldwide pandemic. Please comfort those who mourn. Heal the sick, and ease their suffering. Please be with those during their last moments on earth, and take them home to be with you for all eternity. Lord, please bring peace that passes all understanding to those who cannot be with their loved ones. Protect the caregivers and give them energy, health, and strength to persevere. Encourage them daily. Give them tremendous compassion as they care for those in need. Lord, we are truly at war. We are all impacted in some way. We all need your help to get through this. Hear our prayer, O Lord, and heal our land. Thank you, Lord, for answered prayer. Amen.
