I flipped my phone over and slid it to the other end of the couch so I couldn’t reach it. I needed a break.

This week, my phone has held a more permanent place in my hand as I have searched for updates and commentary, trying to sort out the thoughts of everyone from friends, to pastors, to news commentators. There has been suffering and heartache in the lives of those around me as well as tragedies that have made news headlines this week and it all feels very heavy.

I was reminded of the words in Matthew when Jesus learned of the death of John the Baptist. Matthew 14:13 says, “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.” Jesus retreated. He stepped away from everyone and went to pray. 

Stepping away to pray doesn’t mean you are ignoring the pain and suffering, it’s a reminder that you’re human, and you were not designed to handle the weight of this world.

When I slid my phone across the couch I made the decision to step away from the noise of social media. Not forever, but for now. It felt as though the weightiness of the sufferings of the world, and watching them play out over and over again, was affecting my ability to serve my family well. So, I’m praying more than I’m watching the news headlines, checking in on my friends, and sharing with you the encouragement my own heart needs this week.

In one of my favorite books by Elisabeth Elliot, “Suffering is Never for Nothing”, she describes suffering as something we want to happen, that doesn’t; or something that we don’t want to happen, that does. This seems to describe a lot of days in our lives, doesn’t it? When life feels heavy and out of control and you find yourself questioning what you can do, here are just a couple suggestions:

Pray. 

Bring everything to the Father in prayer. Your struggles, your heartaches, and the parts of this life that you don’t understand, because He can bear the burden.

Go home.

“Check out” of the world and “check in” to your family and the people who God has placed in your life. Love your family well. Love your community well. Make an impact in your “pocket” of the world and be a light to those around you.

I’m on the other side of this screen always willing to chat. If you need specific prayer or encouragement, don’t hesitate to reach out.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5