We are born into troubles. In those times of trouble, there are kind people with good intentions who try to console you with good and kind words because they care. Or perhaps because they don’t know what else to say.

When facing cancer, you’ll hear them quote Romans 8:28 or say things like, “God’s got this!” Maybe you hear a whisper behind you. “They are in a better place,” they comment as you’re viewing your child in a casket.

Words are comforting but not always necessary or timely. Some of the most consoling words I’ve ever received in troubling times were never uttered. But they were seen. They were words taking the form of salty tears filling the eyes of my friends, dropping off cheeks into the dust below.

There are troublesome seasons in life when people will gather around you to comfort, but you will feel completely alone and broken. I’ve been there. Alone. But God drew near to me in those days.

Two weeks after our son died, I circled and dated the following verses from Psalm 34: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all,” Psalm 34:18-19.

These aren’t empty words. These are precious promises.

I’ve lived this promise. I’ve sensed his nearness. I experienced his saving grace, and I am being delivered by his grace day to day.

Cling to this promise friends, and may God’s grace revive your hearts and deliver you through all your afflictions in life.