He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalm 91:1–2 (NKJV)
If you’re ever faced a serious illness, you know that it can be an extremely stressful and terrifying experience.
But when you watch a loved one walk the same road, it might make you feel even more helpless—and hopeless. You wait on doctors to run tests; you sit by your loved one’s bedside. But there’s little you can do to change the situation or give the sick person relief from fear and pain. Whether the illness is short or drawn out over years, the experience is exhausting. And you often don’t know what to say to encourage your loved one in their darkest hours.
If you’re in a situation like this today, know that God’s Word offers comfort for you and your loved one. The psalms are one place you can turn when you’re feeling overwhelmed by caring for a sick loved one. The psalmists knew heartache and suffering, and they also knew the God who heard their prayers. You can use the language of the psalms to cry out to God, knowing that he will answer you. You can also share these precious words with those in your life who are sick or suffering.
If you need encouragement from Scripture today, meditate on Psalm 91. The first two verses remind us that when we trust in God and live according to his Word, we can depend on him to be our fortress. His love protects our hearts from all of life’s troubles, and his eternal promise in Jesus gives us unshakeable hope for the future.
