I'm glad you can join us for today's encouragement from our Daily Bread.

I'm Arthur Jackson, and I titled today's devotional reading, Heavy But Hopeful.

In a Peanuts comic strip, the very enterprising character Lucy advertised psychiatric help for

five cents.

Linus found his way to her office and acknowledged his deep feelings of depression.

When he asked her what he could do about his condition, Lucy's quick reply was,

snap out of it, five cents, please.

While such lighthearted entertainment brings a momentary smile, the sadness and gloom that

can grip us when real life happens is not that easily dismissed.

Feelings of hopelessness and despair are real, and sometimes professional attention is needed.

Lucy's advice wasn't helpful in addressing real anguish. However, the writer of Psalm 88 does offer

something instructive and hopeful. A truckload of trouble had arrived at his doorstep. And so, with

raw honesty, he poured out his heart to God. I'm overwhelmed with troubles, and my life draws near to

death. You have put me in the lowest pit in the darkest depths. Darkness is my closest friend. We hear, feel, and perhaps identify

with the psalmist pain. Yet that's not all. His lament is laced with hope. Lord, you're the

God who saves me. Day and night I cry out to you.

May my prayer come before you.

Turn your ear to my cry.

Heavy things do come,

and practical steps such as counsel and medical care may be needed,

but never abandon hope in God.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 88, verses 1 to 13.

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