Misery and Mercy

New Year’s often brings thoughts of celebration—counting blessings and setting intentions for the year ahead. Yet for many, the turning of the calendar does not feel hopeful at all. Instead, it can be a time of reckoning.

Decisions made in the past year may not have led where we hoped. A job is lost.  An eviction notice arrives. A car is repossessed for lack of payment, and there is no certainty about where the next meal will come from.

These are not abstract ideas; they are real human experiences of misery. They are situations that cannot simply be prayed away or quickly fixed. They bring anxiety and deep suffering—sometimes leading to physical and emotional exhaustion, fractured families, financial ruin, or even the loss of life. In moments like these, it is natural to ask hard questions. Is misery ever necessary? Could God be protecting us from something we cannot yet see?

And yet—God is still God.

The Creator and Sustainer of life has a purpose and a plan, and God is good. Still, when someone is physically, mentally, and emotionally depleted—empty-handed and empty-hearted—it can feel impossible to reconcile their situation with that truth. The goodness of God may feel distant when the pain is so close.

We may wonder why those who act unjustly seem to prosper while those striving to live faithfully continue to struggle. Life does not treat everyone equally. The weight of suffering can leave us asking how hardship could ever fit within God’s plan, or whether the misery we are experiencing could possibly be mercy in disguise.

Misery and Mercy

Perhaps misery and mercy cannot always be fully explained or reconciled. But God’s Word remains true. It meets us when we are lost, strengthens us when we are weary, and speaks hope when we are overwhelmed. And when we’ve lost our way— or our choices have taken us somewhere painful — Scripture can gently call us back. This may be one place where misery and mercy quietly meet: not in easy answers, but in God’s faithful presence.

FURTHER THOUGHT

Misery—whether caused by others or by the consequences of our own actions—often leads us to cry out to God for deliverance. It can also draw us back to Scripture, where we are reminded of God’s heart toward those who suffer.

“For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” Lamentations 3:31-33

“Make God your dwelling place...” (Psalms 91:1-2, 11-14). The Psalmist proclaims that God gives His angels charge over me. When I set my eyes on God and call upon Him in times of trouble, I can trust that He is near and will sustain me.

It may mean that although I am holding on with every bit of my strength, I must release my hold, and my control, and give it all to God in order to see the mercy in misery. The suffering and problems may not be taken away, but I have a Comforter with me through the situation so I am seen and not abandoned by God. 

For my friend or family member who is experiencing a miserable, heartbreaking situation that I am not able to fix or solve, I can be present with them in the suffering. I can be a comforter and provide a listening ear, sitting with them in their situation and letting them know that they are not alone. I can also point to God’s promised hope that as we hold God’s word in our hands and hearts, transformation and deliverance is in our grasp. Sometimes deliverance looks like strength for today, wisdom for the next step, and the steady reminder that we are not alone.

PRAYER

God, thank you for the gifts of your word and your mercy. Thank you for daily opportunities to renew my mind with your truth. When I cry out in my grief, I have comfort in knowing that You are present and hear my every groan. Only with You can I be renewed and a comforter to another. The misery can be a beginning instead of an end. Thanks be to God, Amen!

ABOUT MARLA WALDRON

Marla Waldron is a devoted daughter of the Heavenly Father, and she embraces her roles as a sister, wife, mother, teacher, and friend with grace and dedication. For 35 years, she has served as a public school educator, mentoring countless beginning teachers and currently working as an Intervention Specialist with Kindergarten students. In her local church and community, Marla faithfully contributes by volunteering at food and clothing banks, participating in fundraising events, and actively engaging in, as well as leading, small group Bible studies for The Dented Fender Ministry. A mother of three grown children, Marla has also taken on the responsibility of caring for her 50-year-old brother with multiple handicaps since their father's passing. Despite facing dark tunnels of grief and self-doubt, Marla has learned to lean on God’s grace, holding tightly to His truths and trusting in His guidance one step at a time. She and her husband live in Ohio, embracing the unpredictable ride of life with faith and resilience.

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