It could feel like days. The struggling thoughts, moods, not wanting sunlight to hit your face. When life’s tragic events bring a swift gut-wrenching punch, people quickly build a prison of seclusion. Many people in the Bible also struggled emotionally. Here are five leaders in the Bible, who also suffered.
King David used worship, writing and fasting to deal with the pain of losing his son. “After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the child.” He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. On the seventh day, the child died.”
David was heartbroken. “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” Ps. 38:4 “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” and “Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God (Ps. 42:11).”
Elijah also underwent dark moments and said: “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
Naomi fell into great despair in her thoughts, crying out, “The Almighty has made my life very bitter.”
Job experienced great devastation and his wife told him to curse God for his suffering. Job didn’t, he kept his thoughts on the Lord, but was honest about his pain. “I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil,” Job 3:26. Jesus walked through the pain of His own. The Bible says that so great was His anguish, that He sweat “drops of blood (Luke 22:44).”
The Apostle Paul experienced numerous tests by the hand of man (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). But beyond that, he experienced trials that God allowed. Paul called it a messenger of Satan and petitioned God to withdraw this “thorn in the flesh.” Yet, God chose to allow Paul to suffer from this affliction (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
We are at war within ourselves and with the world. No matter how much your feelings and thoughts are screaming at you, start immersing yourself in the Word, prayer and find someone who can support you. Consider reaching out to a pastor or counselor.
Allow the Word of God to approve and soothe you. Post the below Scriptures around the house, car and office as a reminder.
-Psalms 3:3: “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
-Psalms 32:10: “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.”
-1 Chronicles 16:11: “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
-Corine Gatti-Santillo