By Shenalyn Page
Have you ever felt that something must be wrong with you because you feel sad so often?
You are not alone.
Sadness plagues all of us at times. Some of us feel sad most of the time. Ever since sin entered our world, experiencing sadness is part of what it means to be human.
Many of the Bible writers express deep sadness in their writings. Solomon, history’s wisest man, said that “all [humanity’s] days are sorrowful” (Ecclesiastes 2:23). Jeremiah is called the “weeping prophet” and wrote a Bible book devoted entirely to sadness—it’s called Lamentations.
Jesus was “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). So know this—God understands your sadness! He feels it too. Anything that breaks your heart also breaks His heart.
The Source of Our Sadness
Your heavenly Father wants you to live a life of joy and peace with Him. “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). In fact, Jesus told His disciples that the reason He taught them was so that “My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).
So why do we so often struggle with sadness if it is the exact opposite of God’s plan for us?
The simple answer: sin.
Sin separates us from our Savior and causes all the brokenness, pain, and sorrow that we see and feel. Its results show up in many ways in our lives.
“If it feels good, do it.”
The world tells us that the way to happiness is doing whatever feels good at the moment. Unfortunately, Satan’s “fun” will always destroy us in the end. It can lead to addictions to drugs and alcohol, gambling, pornography, etc.—or supposed “harmless” sins like endlessly scrolling through social media or binging Netflix or YouTube videos.
Anytime we choose actions that are contrary to God’s heart of love, our conscience will bother us and we will lose our peace. King David said, “I groan because of the turmoil of my heart … because of my sin” (Psalm 38:8, 3). Sin always disconnects us from God and leads to sadness.
Thankfully, Jesus came to this earth to “restore to [us] the joy of [His] salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Sin never has to keep us away from God. The moment we recognize that our choices have taken us out of His love, we can run back to Him. If we “repent” and are “converted,” we will receive the joy of His “refreshing” presence (Acts 3:19). “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
Other People’s Wrong Choices
Unfortunately, other people’s sinful choices often cause us great sorrow. If you’ve been abused or molested, or if your parents have divorced, or friends have ignored you, then you are going to feel sad. That is normal and even healthy. God understands that kind of pain, and He feels it with you.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to be a victim all your life. You can choose today to ask God to heal your heart and help you forgive those who have hurt you.
Life Is Hard
Life on Earth is difficult. Sometimes things are simply going to go wrong. You may need to move when you don’t want to. Friends may abandon you. People you love will die. Car accidents happen. You may fail at something you really want to do. All of these things cause feelings of sadness.
But having this sadness does not mean you are broken. You are processing something painful and unwanted. Know that God understands your sadness and feels it with you.
Chemical Imbalances
Sometimes the effects of sin can show up as brokenness in our bodies or minds. Ongoing sadness may be a sign of a chemical imbalance in your brain. If you suspect that you have clinical depression, please see your doctor as soon as possible and get the medical help you need to begin to feel better. There is absolutely nothing to feel shame about if you need this kind of care and support. Remember, you aren’t the only one, and you aren’t alone.
There are also many things you do to help yourself feel better naturally. Daily exercise outdoors, getting enough sleep each night, eating a plant-based diet, and choosing to be grateful are all things that will make a big difference in your outlook on life. These are some of God’s most effective remedies for healing your mind and body.
You might also consider a media fast. Studies show that excessive screen time and time on social media can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and sadness.
There Is Hope!
Did you ever get lost as a child?
I remember thinking my parents had left me behind when we visited Buckingham Palace in England. In reality, they had just stepped out of sight around a corner, but that didn’t change the terror that my ten-year-old self felt.
Sadness can put a “corner” between us and God and make us think that He has abandoned us in our pain. Yet if we ask Him to open our eyes, we will see that He is walking with us, feeling our every sadness, and suffering with us. “For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’” (Isaiah 41:13).
Recommended Resources
• 988 and Crisis Lifeline: Suicide 988 and Crisis Lifeline: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 24/7, free, confidential support and resources for anyone in distress.
•. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-272-TALK (8255) for 24/7, free and confidential support from a crisis counselor.
•. New Life Clinics: Biblical counseling. Locations throughout the United States. Teletherapy is also available. 1-800-639-5433.
• Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program: Biblical 10-day residential treatment program with a 99-percent effectiveness rate.
•. Overcoming Anxiety and Depression: An eight-week online course built on science and God’s Word.