Hope in the Midst of Sadness

We’ve all been there. Someone asks how we’re doing, and we reflexively say:

“I’m fine.”

But deep down, we know it’s not true. Sadness is part of being human — grief, disappointment, depression — and the Bible is full of honest examples of people who felt deeply sad:

• David grieving over Absalom (2 Samuel 18:33) 
• Jeremiah feeling misunderstood (Jeremiah 20:7-8) 
• Hannah weeping over infertility (1 Samuel 1:10) 
• Even Jesus weeping over Lazarus (John 11:33-35)

It’s okay to feel sad. But emotions you deny or dwell on will control you.

“My soul is downcast within me.” (Psalm 42:6)

Sadness itself isn’t sinful. Emotions are a gift from God — they make us human.

But here’s the danger:

• Denying your sadness is unhealthy.
• Dwelling on it too long can become idolatry.

What do you do instead?

The psalmist gives us a beautiful example of how to process sadness honestly, yet faithfully:

1. Name it and express it.
Acknowledge your feelings — to yourself, to God, to trusted people. Honesty opens the door to healing.

2. Preach truth to yourself.
Your emotions feel real, but they don’t always align with reality. So speak truth:

• Emotions are a gift, but often not aligned with reality.
• God has not, is not, and never will abandon you.
  • “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
• Past experience is the comforting indicator of future behavior.
  • “I will remember you…” (Psalm 42:6)
• “I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5)

Joni Eareckson Tada models this so well. She calls these verses her “fighting words,” reminding herself not to let stubborn feelings win. Click here to watch her video on dealing with depression and sadness.

You don’t have to fight through sadness by yourself. God is near. His people — your family, friends, and church — can walk with you.

We can help each other by being a community where it’s safe to say, “I’m not okay.”

And as Christians, we live with a hope that sadness can’t erase. Even when life is hard now, joy is coming — both now in glimpses and fully in eternity.

If you’re not fine, it’s okay to say so.

Be honest. Bring your sadness to God and others. Let His truth reshape your perspective, and trust that His strength shines through your weakness.

And even if all you can manage to say is this:


That’s enough.