Years ago, I took a Shakespeare class in college and really enjoyed it. I recently re-read one of my favorite plays, “The Merchant of Venice.”
At the beginning of the play, Antonio said, “I know not why I am so sad. It wearies me. You say it wearies you. But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, what stuff ‘tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
It reminded me of the words of Nehemiah in the Old Testament, “So the king asked me, ‘Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.’” (Nehemiah 2:2)
What do you do when sadness has a grip upon your life? Where do you turn?
I love the words of David in Psalm 42: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11)
I believe there is a word of hope for those with a broken heart. Here it is: God understands. God is very near to those who are struggling. The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
Today, in a very meaningful and real way, may God be near to those who are sad and bring comfort to those with a broken heart.