Note to reader—the following is a transcript of the video.

The Suffering Soldier

For those who've given up hoping for a better way.

Has life been cruel to you? It seems unfair at times. It is unfair at times. Perhaps, you've been deeply hurt and betrayed by those you most trusted—those who should have cared for you. At times, it can feel as though the only solution is to just give up on hope, and maybe find comfort in staying put right there in that place of despair.

Misery can seem comfortable and safe. Especially if you've been let down, or deceived, or used by others over and over again, staying in despair is way safer than letting hopefulness build up again. It's too risky. It'll only get worse, you might think.

And, you know what? Jesus gets it. He was misunderstood. He was judged by so many people. He was betrayed even by His closest friends. In the end, He was hung on the cross, He was alone, and He was tortured. Jesus—the One and only. Jesus! He was totally abandoned, and He knows how you feel. And He knows your pain. He has felt it Himself.

Hebrews 2:10 says…

It was only right that he, that is, God, should make Jesus through his suffering, a perfect leader fit to bring us into our salvation.

Pain and suffering are an undeniable part of life. If we ignore our grief, it will make us sick. Feeling pain is, unfortunately, part of what it means to be human. That's why even Jesus went through it. Jesus was not just a man who led a perfect life. He is fully human and fully God, and He's the one who can save you from your suffering—because He knows what it is to suffer. But He doesn't want you to stay there, hiding, afraid to risk hope.

He wants you to know that no matter where you're at just now, you can cry out to Him. Just say, Lord, help me! Cry out to Him, and He will help you because He is with you. He has been beside you all along. Believe it or not, He is with you. He has not abandoned you. God wants to give you joy and peace that cannot be shaken by any troubles that happen in your life.

Philippians 4:7 says it this way...he says that…

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

He won't hurt you or let you down the way others have. And He won’t punish you cruelly. He will actually, it says, stand guard over your heart—over your mind. You don't need to hide from Him and run from Him. You run to him!

Hebrews 4 says this…

This high priest of ours understands our weakness, for he faced all of the same testings that we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly,it says, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His grace and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

The world will let you down. People will let you down. But God will never let you down. You can trust Him to meet you in your darkest despair and lead you faithfully back to a sure hope. He will be with you as you learn—as you deal with your pain. And as you face hard emotions, moving through them to His promised joy, you'll find peace there, and freedom.

If you've been in a dark place for a while, hope for the future may feel foolish—like someone's trying to trick you—they're lying. But look back on your life. Was God the one who hurt you and let you down? Maybe it was friends. Maybe it was family. Maybe you even feel you let yourself down. God is the only one who has never and will never leave you, and never let you down.

No matter how you're feeling right now, God is inviting you to a different path. It's not a gimmick. It's not a quick fix. It's not a smooth path with no bumps in the road. But, it's the first step that you will take on a journey that leads to deep, unshakable peace. It's a path with Him, where there is always hope. Don't give up now. You can have a fresh start in Jesus.

Would you like to step onto that path today?

I would love to guide you in a prayer—not my words, your words—speaking to God. You could pray to say…

Jesus, You are the friend who has never failed me. God, You are the Father who has always loved me. Holy Spirit, You are the source of perfect peace. And I need it, and I cry out to You now. Help me! Lift me out of this misery. I'm asking You. Come and snap the chains of iron that lead me to despair and that are holding me captive. Oh God, I trust You to keep Your word. You are the faithful One. Thank You, Lord God. I am Yours, forever. In Jesus’ name.

Amen.