Healing in the valleys

On the morning of Easter Mary Magdalene stood at the grave, weeping. The One who had restored her was gone. Her world had collapsed into grief. Even for Mary Magdalene, but also for you and me: after the mountaintops of freedom, oftentimes dark valleys come—places of loss, confusion, and waiting.

Let’s just stay with that feeling for a while. Because, through its grief it tells us something–these ‘dark valley’ moments in our lives. In the case of Mary Magdalene–and perhaps with you as well–her tears tell the story of great love. This is often the flipside of grief. Yes, it is heart-wrenching, but that is because it is nothing but a matter of the heart. In loss, great grief is the extension of great love.

In Psalm 34, we read that God is near to the brokenhearted. That means He is deeply close in your tears, your confusion, and your unanswered questions. If healing feels far away today, don’t assume Jesus is. Like He did for Mary Magdalene, He meets us in the valleys, tears, desperation and all. Isaiah 43 promises that when we pass through waters and fire, we won’t be overwhelmed or consumed. That’s not because we’re so strong—it’s because we’re not alone.

Your grief doesn’t cancel your healing. Your confusion doesn’t disqualify your faith. Jesus meets us in real time, with real emotion, in real places of need. If your story today feels more like a tomb than a celebration, don’t give up. He’s closer to you than you know. And remember: when He speaks, even weeping hearts can recognize joy again.

Where do you need Jesus to meet you in your valley today?