The Worst Day

with Wendy Palau

What was the worst day of your life? I know mine. On that day, I found out that the baby my husband and I had been praying for had died. It was our third late-term miscarriage and I was devastated. I couldn't face the grief, the loss, and the sadness again. Our beautiful baby boy was gone. We cried together, and the pain of it felt overwhelming.

Maybe your worst day happened before you met Christ. If so, you know the crushing despair of wondering if there will ever be an end to the suffering. Even in the middle of the worst kind of pain, you and I know there is still hope. No matter how far off it feels, we know we have a God who loves us and will comfort us.

But without Jesus, there is truly no hope at all. Is someone in your life suffering this way right now? Imagine the terror of not knowing when or if your pain would ever end. Maybe their worst days involve the death of a loved one, a shocking diagnosis, or the crushing hopelessness of chronic pain.

This type of hurting never feels okay. No matter how we try to comfort ourselves—no matter how we try to prepare ourselves, death and pain feel terribly wrong. Why is that?

Death and pain feel wrong because they are wrong. The gut-wrenching suffering of this world wreaks havoc on us. We were not made for it… because there's something better for us—for you, and for those God has put in your life.

We were created for life and growth.

We were designed to thrive.

We were formed to have overflowing joy.

Sin polluted everything in this earthly life. But God made a way for us when Jesus came and died on that cross. He took the sin and pain of this world. All that is wrong in the whole earth. He took it on Himself.

And, what mystery—He didn't stay dead. That is the victory! He overcame death. What power and authority! Jesus broke the power of the one thing that no human being can control—death. Peter tells us in the Bible that Christ suffered for our sins once and for all time. He never sinned but died for sinners to bring us safely home to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.

Friend, this is our hope. This is my hope. I know that one day when this body dies, by the Spirit I will be made alive in a new heavenly body, and come home to God. I know that I'll see my babies again, and I can't wait.

Revelation 21 says one day He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Because the old order of things will have passed away. God will make all things new. How beautiful—all that was lost will be restored. I cannot wait for that day.

But today, I want to ask you, do you believe these promises are meant to be kept to yourself? Or… do you believe He died to bring this promised hope to all people? That He wants to comfort all of us in our pain? Has your excitement to share God’s message of hope been worn down by the brokenness of the world?

Maybe you’re wondering—if Jesus conquered death, why is there still death? If He conquered sin, why is there still sin? Can I truly tell people that God is good? The Bible tells us that although sin and death are conquered, they have not yet been fully removed from the earth. But they will be!

The first time Jesus came to us, He came as a servant, giving His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). But the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 15—at the end of our earth’s story, Jesus is coming back. Next time He’s coming to rule as our victorious King and driving out all wrongness from the earth. It says that He will reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet and that the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

We can look for His return with great hope, but we can also have hope for today.

God is still faithful. He is still good. We have good news, and it’s worth sharing! Today, in Jesus, we can have:

Peace that doesn’t depend on our circumstances.

The Holy Spirit fills us with His powerful love.

Our broken lives are being restored one day at a time.

His comforting presence has begun to heal the deepest wounds of our hearts.

For the present time, He sustains us with His love.

For the future, we have the beautiful promise of the next life.

But, what about those who don’t have this comforting security? Friend, the Lord has entrusted us with sharing this wonderful gift that we’ve been given. Someone in your life needs to know that their sorrow doesn’t have to last forever.

As Psalm 30 says, “weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.” And Jesus is that morning light that will finally chase all our grief away.

You have a hope worth sharing, and you can choose to introduce your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to Jesus. Start the conversation today, so your friend’s heart can be filled with the greatest hope!

Will you pray with me?

Thank You that You promise to wipe away all my tears. That You promise life eternal. I've had some terrible days, Lord. But today, I put myself into Your loving hands. I hold on to Your hope and Your promises. Help me share the hope you’ve given me with whoever I can! One day I'll see You face to face, and even now You are with me, bringing new life. I want to share Your goodness even in the middle of life’s pain. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.