When Thanksgiving is Hard 3-Day Devotional - Day 1 Count Your Pain

Day 1: Count Your Pain – Acknowledge Your Grief

Scripture:
“Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.”
– Job 1:20 (NKJV)

Reflection:
Job experienced unimaginable loss, yet his first response was to grieve openly. He didn’t suppress his pain or pretend to be okay. In our lives, grief may come from various sources—not just losing loved ones, but broken dreams, strained relationships, or changes in health. God is not offended by our sorrow; instead, He meets us in it. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.”

Prayer:
Lord, I bring my pain to You today. Help me to acknowledge my grief without shame and to trust that You are near, even when my heart is heavy. Thank You for understanding my sorrow and carrying my burdens. Amen.

Action Step:
Write down what’s causing you grief. Offer those feelings to God in prayer, trusting Him to bring comfort and healing.