Where can a parent find comfort when their heart’s been broken? When I was in deep, emotional pain I felt fragile and unsteady. I needed real comfort and something solid to hold on to. Actually, I needed it this past Saturday, the day before Easter, when my husband Tom almost died. That’s why this blog didn’t get posted when I had planned.

His heart stopped during a 5K race. He needed both CPR and a defibrillator to be revived. I thought he was gone, BUT God . . . we’re in awe of His goodness.

My heart was also broken by my daughter’s struggle with addiction, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and mental illness. I know what emotional pain is all about. Both of these experiences have brought me my toughest days and darkest nights. Maybe you understand.

During an especially difficult spring several years ago, I decided to read the Easter story again in all four gospels. What I found renewed my hope—for my daughter and for me.

These are the truths that encouraged and comforted me. Today, after nearly losing my husband, they mean more than ever. I experienced them in a whole new way.

1. God is all-powerful.

If He could raise Jesus from the dead, then He can do the impossible in your child’s life!  And in yours!

 

2. Nothing is too hard for God. NOT A THING.

Things may look hopeless today, BUT . . . it’s not the end of the story!

It may be Friday—Christ’s brutal death—but Sunday’s coming—his glorious resurrection. We can trust God no matter how things look. When I thought my husband was dead, I kept trusting Him with the final outcome. I still knew He was Sovereign and was in control.

 

3. You never know what God is doing.

He can redeem any situation and use it for good—not just in your child’s life, but in yours and in the lives of others who will hear about their miracle. I never imagined what He would do for my husband. We’re calling it our Melborne Miracle (were in Melborne, Florida when this happened). And no one ever imagined what God would do that first Easter morning. No way! He tried to prepare them but it was a perplexing mystery.

 

4. God DOES have a plan.

He will fulfill the plans He has for you, for His glory. It’s all about Him. It’s all about His purposes in this world. Your story is part of this bigger plan—so is your child’s. You can rest in the fact that He will be with you every step of the way, as your part unfolds, like I knew He would be with me.

 

5. There’s always hope for anyone. It’s never too late!

Jesus told the criminal beside him that he would be with him that day in paradise. This man died a few hours later. All was not hopeless. When God is there, it changes things.

 

6. God will do whatever it takes to reveal truth to lost people.

Earthquakes; the dead coming out of tombs, talking to people; angels; Jesus appearing in a locked room and then disappearing; touching his pierced hands and side. Yet, He gives free will to choose whether or not to believe. Faith isn’t forced on anyone.

 

7. God’s love is incredible, immeasurable and incomprehensible.

He loves every person He created more than you can imagine—enough to enter into this messed up world in human form, in the person of Jesus, His son. He allowed Him to suffer and die an agonizing death on a cross to pay the penalty for the offenses of all mankind, so we could be forgiven and cleansed, be made right with Him, have an intimate relationship with Him and be offered the free gift of eternal life.

Yes, He surely does love us. I’ve felt it in an amazing way the last few days.

 

8. God is faithful to keep his word throughout all generations.

He’s trustworthy and dependable. Fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies is sprinkled throughout the Easter story. You and I can depend on His faithfulness today, too.

“Did not the Christ have to suffer these things then enter his glory?” (Luke 23: 26)

 

9. Our suffering can bring glory to God.

If He has allowed you to suffer, it has a bigger purpose. It’s not about you. It’s about God and His glory!

 

Which one of these truths means most to you today?

I encourage you to pick one and write it on an index card or piece of paper. Put the card or paper where you can see it as a reminder of who God is and what He can do.

 

Almighty God, thank You for Easter. These truths comfort me deeply. They give me something solid to hold onto. Help me keep my eyes on the cross of Christ. Help me believe He really is alive and that He lives to help me through anything I’ll ever face. My hope is real because of Him.

Hallelujah! My Savior Lives! Amen.