Friday, October 22

Oh, my anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain. Oh, the agony of my heart!
—Jeremiah 4:19a

We have all known the pain of separation. Separation anxiety is a common life experience, even after we leave childhood. The trauma suffered from abandonment is deeply hurtful and can affect us at any stage of life.

The other day I called a young woman in her twenties about dog-walking. She sounded as if she were in pain, and I asked about how she was feeling. She said, “Oh, it’s a relationship problem.” I suggested she find someone to talk to and she responded that the problem had just arisen the day before. Even so, she sounded so “down,” I wanted to reach out and “make it better.”

God created us for companionship with him. One of the expressions of that companionship in this life is the “true love” for which most of us yearn. Relationships, therefore, are a necessary and rich experience in our lives. But they can also cause pain when things go wrong. The agony of lost love or estrangement is sometimes indescribable. A loss can deeply touch our soul and leave us with a feeling of emptiness.

But the companionship that God offers us is always accessible, especially when our hearts are heavy with pain. When we turn that way, God is there with arms open and the oil of healing. It may take time, but we can and do recover from such pain. 

God loves us so much that He hurts with us, and comforts us with the balm of his compassion. God offers us all a time of emotional mending that will help us recover the courage to live fully again.

Good and gracious God, be there for me when I need you, I pray. Fill me with your love and presence. Amen.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2006.