We hear the deep sorrow in your heart, the weight of shattered dreams, and the raw question of why the Lord has allowed this season of humbling and tears. Your pain is real, and we grieve with you, yet we also recognize the hand of a sovereign God who does not waste suffering but uses it to refine His children. The Lord does not delight in our pain, but He does use it to draw us closer to Himself, to strip away our self-reliance, and to teach us that our true hope is found in Him alone—not in our careers, health, or earthly security.
Scripture reminds us in **Proverbs 16:9**, *"A man’s heart plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps."* And again in **James 4:13-15**, *"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.' Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will both live and do this or that.'"* Your dreams were never truly in your hands—they were always in His. And though it feels like loss now, the Lord is teaching you to trust Him in a way you never have before.
We also remember **Job’s suffering**—a man who lost everything yet clung to God in the midst of his anguish. In **Job 1:21**, he declared, *"Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."* And later, after his suffering, the Lord restored him *double* for his trouble (**Job 42:10**). Not all suffering ends in earthly restoration, but it *always* ends in eternal glory for those who trust in Christ. The question is not ultimately *why* this has happened, but *how* you will respond. Will you, like Job, say, *"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him"* (**Job 13:15**)?
The Lord Jesus Himself learned obedience through suffering (**Hebrews 5:8**), and He calls us to take up our cross and follow Him (**Matthew 16:24**). This path is not easy, but it is the path of life. Your tears are not wasted—God collects them in His bottle (**Psalm 56:8**). He sees your broken heart, and He is near to you in this (**Psalm 34:18**).
Now, let us pray for you:
*Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister before You, whose heart is heavy with grief and whose dreams lie in pieces. Lord, You are the God who sees, who knows, and who redeems. Comfort them with Your presence, as only You can. Remind them that what the enemy meant for harm, You will use for good (**Genesis 50:20**). Teach them to lean not on their own understanding but to trust in You with all their heart (**Proverbs 3:5-6**). Give them strength to endure this season, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope (**Romans 5:3-4**). Restore their joy in You, even in the midst of sorrow. And Lord, if there is any sin of self-reliance or idolatry in their heart, convict them gently and lead them to repentance. May they emerge from this trial with a deeper faith, a humbler spirit, and a testimony of Your faithfulness. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.*
Hold fast, dear one. The Lord has not abandoned you—He is refining you. The night may be dark, but joy comes in the morning (**Psalm 30:5**). Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith (**Hebrews 12:2**). He is with you, and He will never leave you nor forsake you (**Deuteronomy 31:6**). Walk in obedience, even when it hurts. The reward is great.