Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way

Read Psalm 88:1-2

HEAD

These two psalms are really different. Psalm 87 is a joyful song that celebrates Zion, a special place where people feel safe and loved by God. It's like a bright and shining home for everyone. However, Psalm 88 is a sad psalm that conveys a sense of feeling truly alone and in the dark. Together, they show that even people who love and follow God have both happy days and sad days. Sometimes we feel brave and confident; other times we just want to cry out when we're hurting. God welcomes us to tell Him about our happiness and our pain. I love reading the Psalms because they show that joy and sadness can be felt at the same time. They aren't opposites; they can go together. Experiencing joy doesn't mean we forget our sadness, and sadness doesn't take away from our happiness. In fact, God can help us feel peaceful, even when we're sad.

HEART

Feeling sad about losing someone or something can feel so very hard! Sometimes you feel angry, sometimes sad, and sometimes you doubt everything. Sometimes, just a little thought can trigger big feelings and blow up your happy mood. I think grief is a lot like glitter. If you've ever spilled glitter, you know how those tiny, shiny pieces get everywhere! They stick to things and are so hard to clean up. Just like grief, when you lose something special, you find little reminders all over your heart. They shine bright when you least expect them, reminding you of what once was. For example, once my son, Judah, made me a sparkly four-leaf clover, and for months, there were green glittery bits in my hair and all around the house! Grief is like that—so many little reminders pop up when you're not ready for them. They catch you off guard, and sometimes you want to hide those feelings. But hiding them only makes things harder later on.

HANDS 

If you're feeling sad about losing someone or something, don't try to hide those feelings. It's okay to look at them and realize they are there, even if messy and confusing. When those memories come up, talking with a safe grown-up you trust is always a good idea. 

Just like David, you can always bring them to God! He saved us! And we can cry to Him day and night (ANYTIME!) and He listens and cares (Psalm 88:1-2). He can help us through our sadness, just like David did in the Psalms. God is strong enough to carry our toughest feelings and give us comfort. Remember, God is always with us, and wherever He is, there's joy. Even if we go through hard times, God is right beside us. His Spirit is in us, and when we trust Jesus, we have His love and comfort, which can help us through anything, even loss. 

PRAYER: God, You are where our happiness comes from. You comfort us when we are sad, and You fill us with peace. Today, we lift up all our feelings: happy and sad, confused, scared, or mad, to You. Amen.