Does God Care About My Sadness? The Surprising Truth of Psalm 56:8

BySierra
365 Mental Health Devotional Challenge: Day 65

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A woman comforts another during an emotional moment indoors, evoking themes of empathy and support.

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Devotional


Psalm 56:8

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

Mental Health Insight – When we grieve someone it is natural to feel that memory of that person start to pull away and to push away the memory of them. However, when these feelings instead of pushing the grief away we can develop the opportunity to have a moment to remember them as a way to honor them in the moments of grief. The following educational activities can be utilized whenever those heavy moments of grief start to arise!

Exercise – Finding Joy In Remembering Them  

If you find yourself overwhelmed by sadness today, try choosing one of these three paths:

  • Cook their favorite meal or visit the restaurant they loved most. As you eat, thank God for the specific ways that person nourished your soul.
  • Watch their favorite movie or flip through a physical photo album. Instead of focusing on the “last” moments, focus on the “best” ones.
  • If they loved gardening, plant a flower. If they loved charity, donate $10 to a cause they supported. By doing what they would have done, you are extending their hands and feet in the world.

Faith Connection – As a Christian we can find joy in knowing that this life is not our end. We will experience much grief and sadness throughout our time in this life, but we have the opportunity to welcome grief rather than push it away.Taking the steps to find a way to process grief in a God honoring manner does not have to be a huge religious practice, but rather an opportunity to show the rawness of human emotion and a moment to welcome God into our messiest moments!

Reflection Question: If the individuals you lost were sitting across from you right now, what piece of wisdom or encouragement would they want me to hold onto today?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the beautiful life I am honoring today and the mark they left on my heart. As I take time to remember them, I ask that You would meet me in my sadness. Thank You that love never fails and that because of Your Son, goodbye is not the end. Transform my grief into a quiet moment of praise for the time we shared. Amen.

Book Recommendations

Suffering Is Never for Nothing By Elisabeth Elliot 

In Suffering Is Never for Nothing, Elisabeth Elliot shares deep wisdom gained from her own experiences with intense grief. She explains that while we may not understand the reasons behind our pain, we can trust that God has a purpose for it. The book teaches that suffering is never wasted and that by surrendering our sorrows to God, we can find true peace and strength. It is a brief but powerful guide on finding hope in life’s hardest moments.

Click here to purchase – suffering is never for nothing

Want To Further Your Mental Health Journey? You can actually start reading the many book recommendations on this blog for FREE in the next 60 seconds. Grab a [Free 30-Day Kindle Unlimited Trial here] or [Get 3 months of Audible for just $0.99/mo] to unlock this title and thousands of other mental health tools, instantly on your phone or tablet. (Note: Kindle Unlimited selection varies over time; check the product page for current eligibility.)

Closing Thoughts

You have completed Day 65 out of 365 Days of our 2026 Mental Health Devotional Challenge. Forgive me for the short closure today, as I am feeling significantly under the weather. I pray you have the most blessed day!

Sierra Stratman MSW LMSW U/S PhD Student 

Disclaimer

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), but I am not your therapist. The information provided in this blog post, including book recommendations and mental health insights, is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute a therapist-client relationship, nor is it intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.