TEARS OF DESPAIR - Conclusion

 Lessons for us. Are you facing a health situation that appears to hopeless? Turn to Jehovah in prayer, even in tears. The Bible assures us that "the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort" will comfort us in all our trials. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4) Today we cannot expect Jehovah to remove all our problems, but we can count on him to sustain us. (Read Psalm41:3) By means of his holy spirit, Jehovah gives us strength, wisdom, and inner peace to cope. (Proverbs 18:14; Philippians 4:13.) He also sustains us through our Bible-based hope of seeing all forms of illness eliminated. - ISAIAH 33:24.

Hezekiah was comforted by Jehovah's words. We can similarly find comfort in God's Word. Jehovah has preserved soothing words that can lift our spirits when we face distressing situations. (Romans 15:4) When a sister in West Africa was diagnosed with cancer, she often wept. She relates: "One scripture that I particularly find is Isaiah 26:3. Even though we seldom have full control over the trials we face, that verse assures me that Jehovah can give us the kind of inner peace that helps us control how we react to the trials." Is there a scripture that you have especially soothing when you are facing situations that can seem trying, maybe even hopeless?

We are living deep in the last days, we expect that causes of tears will only increase. But as we noted from the examples of Hannah, David, and King Hezekiah, Jehovah sees the tears we shed and is deeply moved by them.  Our tears are truly precious to him. So when we face distressing situations, we certainly want to pour out our heart to Jehovah in prayer. May we never isolate ourselves from our loving brothers and sisters in the congregation. And may we continue to find comfort in the soothing words recorded in the Bible. We can be sure that if we keep enduring faithfully, Jehovah will reward us. That includes the wonderful promise that in time he will wipe out ever tear of sorrow, betrayal, and despair from our eyes. (Revelation 21:4) Then we will shed tears of joy.

Next time: Give Glory to Jehovah

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