Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field… Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.
– Jeremiah 10:5

Idols are everywhere. Money, jobs, social media, possessions; it’s anything that has become an ultimate focus, a source of hope, identity, happiness, or is controlling your life or priorities.

Grief also is all around us and unescapable. When it strikes, it’s like a piece of your heart has been ripped out. As if you lost the ability to breath and you don’t know what to do next. Suddenly, your entire world is collapsing and the pain swallows you up whole.

Sometimes you might hold on to this pain, refusing to let it go. Other times you might turn to something to help you forget – like going on a shopping spree or spacing out on your phone. Maybe you try to suppress the pain with your favorite food or a bad addiction to numb the pain away. You want to just take the pain and bury it so far down that it will never creep its way back to the surface again.

Can you see why God asks us not to idolize anything other than Him? Just like the scarecrow, these things are completely and utterly lifeless. The grief you’re holding on to, the possessions, the food, the drugs, the alcohol… whatever it is that your heart is turning to, it will all fall short! These idols will consume you as you keep turning to them over and over again. They will never be able to help you, and they certainly will never bring you the peace your heart is needing.

God is the only one who can give you peace. He is always right there by your side, walking along with you. He sees and feels your pain and is waiting for you to let go. Let go of trying to fix things on your own, let go of turning to idols that are never going to help you, let go, and fall into His arms. He promises to walk through everything with you. He promises that if you will go to Him with your grief, when your heart is breaking, and lay it all down at his feet, then He will pick up all the burden and sorrow from you. In return, He will give you His peace and comfort. “…with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to see Your light in times of trouble and grief. Help me to always remember to look to You, to lean on You, to fall into Your arms so that You can carry me through the grief and give me Your peace and comfort.

Daily Reading: Matthew 6

– Contributed by Heather Roberts