“I’m just so sad!”

Do these words, spoken by one of my patients recently, echo the feelings of your own heart? Have the trials of life left you feeling down? Then rejoice! Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”

How can this be? When you’re world is crumbling around you and you struggle just to get out of bed in the morning, how can you be blessed? Pitied? Yes! Desperate? Absolutely! But blessed? No way!

Yet, as hard as this text is to understand, Jesus meant every word, because:

• The poor in spirit are in good company. Even the heroes of the Bible got depressed:
  • Elijah, while running for his life “came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said.” 1 Kings 19:4
  • David, a man after God’s own heart, complained, “I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.” Psalm 38:6.
  • Even Jesus, as the cross loomed before Him, told His disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Matthew 26:38.
• The poor in spirit realize their need – Sometimes we have to reach our lowest point before we are willing to look up. It wasn’t until the prodigal son ended up eating with the pigs that “…he got up and went to his father.” Luke 15:20.
• The poor in spirit are near to God – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18.
• The poor in spirit are promised healing – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3.
• The poor in spirit have hope – Someday soon “…God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Today, if you’re feeling “poor in spirit”, know this – you are never alone. God is close. He feels your pain and He knows your hurt, because He walked that road before you. Come to Him today and find healing in His arms and hope for a better tomorrow. And remember – you are blessed!

Have a wonderful day and rejoice – yours is the kingdom of God!