How To Trust Jesus To Help When Life Is Painful

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What do you do when life is painful? If you’re like me, you’re tempted to pull the covers over your head and hide. Wouldn’t we all prefer a life of comfort, peace, and contentment?

The world wants us to believe peace and contentment are found in financial security, a successful career, and perfect relationships. The problem is, those things are very fragile. No matter how frantically we chase and fight to achieve and maintain our dreams and desires … life’s trials and sorrows in one form or another are the inevitable results of sin in the world.

Before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus tried to help the disciples understand what was about to happen. And after telling them of the Father’s love, the help of the Spirit of Truth, and His own departure … He told them:

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.

John 16:33

He didn’t say—you might, or it’s possible, or if you’re “unlucky” but simply “you will.” 

One of our pastors used to say, “I know each of you and everyone has problems. Don’t look around and think anyone has a perfect life. Everyone is fighting hard battles.”

Everyone has pain and problems but as we focus on all that our Lord Jesus has done for us through His death and resurrection, let’s take a moment to focus on what Jesus told us to do with our trials and sorrows.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 17:28–29

But how? How do we take Jesus words and apply them to our lives?

How to Take Your Troubles
to the Cross & Trust Jesus
When Life is Painful

1. Pick up your problems and take them to Jesus.

Living in denial, running from, or avoiding problems never helps. So, face them head-on … admit them, and take them to Jesus in prayer. Carry them or drag them just do whatever it takes to take them to the Lord.

Why? Because He cares and He has promised to help.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

1 Peter 5:6–7

2. Keep your heart and mind focused on Jesus and trust His promises.

Focus on God’s amazing grace and love demonstrated through Jesus’ willingness to live, suffer, die, and rise again. We can trust God’s promises to forgive our repentant hearts and comfort us with His love.

Jesus promised to give us what we need in good times and bad. (Luke 12:31) He promised to send the Spirit to help and guide us in the truth. (John 15:26) He promised to prepare a place and to come for us when everything is ready. (John 14:3) He promised that He would be with us always and forever. (Matthew 28:20)

 All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.

2 Corinthians 1:20

3. Stand together at the foot of the cross.

We know that John and several of the Marys were there when Jesus was crucified. They shared a great love for Him and because of that love helped and encouraged one another.

Paul wrote…

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

James told Jesus’ followers…

Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16

We don’t have to share every painful detail of our lives. Remember we don’t know the specifics of Paul’s “thorn,” but he did tell us of his struggle. The Lord wants us to stand together in faith and prayer knowing that when we carry each other’s burdens we are sharing His love and strength.

So, when life is painful – let’s take our pain to Jesus, keep our focus on Him, and trust His promises, while we stand together in faith and prayer.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Trust Jesus When Life is Painful

Father, Your love overwhelms me. You saw the painful consequences of sin in our lives and made a way for us to be redeemed from a debt that we could never repay. We deserve eternal death and You made it possible for us to experience eternal life.

You sent Your Son into this pain-filled world to suffer our punishment and pay our debt. We don’t deserve it and we could never earn it; yet, we too often act as if what we need is found only in prosperity, popularity, position, and power. Please forgive us. Please forgive me.

Jesus gave His all to show us a better way and show us that when life is painful, He is the answer. He is what we need most. He is what I need most. By Your grace, help me carry life’s pain and problems to the foot of the cross. Help me bring everything to You in prayer trusting Your promise that … “there [I] will receive [Your] mercy and grace to help [me] when [I] need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Please keep my heart and mind focused on Jesus remembering that I can trust every promise with hope whatever my circumstances. And help me stand with others in faith always willing to help, pray, and share Your love. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.

So, if life is painful for you right now, remember that God is loving and faithful. He keeps His promises.

The Lord always keeps His promises;
    He is gracious in all He does.
The Lord helps the fallen
    and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

Psalm 145:13b–14

May the Lord bless you as you gather with friends at the foot of the cross. May you find peace and rest from your burdens as you share His love and cling to His promises.

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