How to Trust God When You Feel Sad
Recently I asked my husband, “will I always be sad?” There are so many things in our life (and family) that we are grieving. Unseen things. Yes, they are seen by God . But the sadness often feels so heavy. So deep. So lasting.
The colder weather, the longer nights makes this season especially hard. We held this grief during the summertime, but during the day I could go to the pool with my youngest two children and sit in the sunshine.
Now it is too cold to sit on our porch and the dreariness of the season seeps into my very soul. So the sadness comes to the surface after long conversations, late nights, and little sleep from the sorrow. How do I trust God when I feel so sad?
The other day I found myself reading Psalm 130 before bed. The first line spoke directly to how I was feeling: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord….
Trust Gives Us Someone to Cry Out To
The psalm begins in a painful place. The psalmist brings his distress straight to God. He asks God to listen to him. Friend, if the psalms has taught me anything this past year is that we can trust God enough to tell Him how deeply we hurt. Over and over again I whispered, I cry out to you from the depths … .from the depths of pain, sorrow, sadness, and grief.
Trusting God begins with prayer. Prayer can be honest conversations with God. Prayer is connecting with God. Simply saying, “Lord, this is where I’m hurting today. Please here me.” is a perfect place to start!
Trust Helps Us Draw Near When We Feel Unworthy
The psalm moves from distress to our need for forgiveness. No one could stand before God if He held every sin against us. Yes, we often feel sad as well from other people’s sins. But no matter the reason – God is a forgiving God. Forgiveness is found within only Him, giving us reason to approach Him with reverence.
When sadness is accompanied by guilt, we can confess our sin and receive His forgiveness. Sadness itself is not evidence that we have done something wrong. Even right now you can bring any specific sin to God, and remember that His forgiveness gives you a reason to keep drawing near.
Trust Gives Us Something Sure While We Wait
My favorite verse in Psalm 130 is verse 5:
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
We wait for God to take away the sadness, grief, or change the circumstances causing us pain. Sometimes He does, but so often His timing doesn’t match our own. We find ourselves waiting…and waiting…and waiting.
I absolutely love that the palmist says it is God’s word. What do we find in God’s word so we can trust it?
5 Reasons to Trusting God’s Word When You Feel Sad
- God’s Word is true. His words are trustworthy and give us a firm foundation for hope. — Psalm 119:160
- God keeps His promises. We can depend on Him to do what He has said. — Hebrews 10:23
- God’s character never changes. His goodness remains steady through every season. — Malachi 3:6
- God’s steadfast love never ends. His mercies meet us each morning, even when our hearts are sad. — Lamentations 3:22–23
- God’s Word endures forever. When life feels uncertain, His truth remains secure. — Isaiah 40:8
A Prayer for the Waiting Place
Lord, You know how heavy my heart feels today. I am waiting for answers, for relief, and for things I cannot change. From this place of sadness, I cry out to You. Please hear my prayer.
As I wait, help me place my hope in Your Word. Remind me of what is true when my thoughts wander toward fear. Thank You that forgiveness is found with You and Your steadfast love has not run out. Give me strength for today and patience for the answers I cannot yet see.
Like a watchman waiting for morning, help me look to You with expectation. Even while the night feels long, You are faithful. I entrust this day, these burdens, and the people I love to Your care. In Jesus’ name, amen.
