I’m not sure if we live in hard times or just a hard world. Haven’t the times before ours been hard too? I can at least conclude that we have our share of challenges as a country, a city, and a church. I keep looking to find God in the midst of it all.

I need to see Him working in the midst of this brokenness. Otherwise we have no hope to fight for tomorrow. So where is God in the midst of all this ugliness? Where is He in the disgusting acts that have stolen the lives of the innocent? Where is He when people write bitter words that cut at the humanity of others?

I think God is near in this time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

A man named Simeon once told Mary that through Jesus the “thoughts of many hearts will be revealed” (Luke 2:35). Today the true thoughts of peoples hearts are on full display. The ugliness of brokenness was already there but now it’s being displayed through a new medium–social media. Videos now expose candid moments that would have gone unseen in the past. And written posts give a snapshot of peoples thoughts toward others. Many times it can all be ugly.

But it’s when we see the brokenness of our hearts that we realize we need healing. What have the challenges revealed about your heart? How is God working to heal you in that place of brokenness?