Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

Do you ever feel like life is just getting you down? That it’s kicking you and punching you one time after a while? Every Christian has been there before, time and again. Things happen, hearts are broken and tears are shed.

But there is always a light in the darkness: God.

Life wasn’t designed to be roses and daisies all the time. As Christians, there seems to be a common misconception that our lives should always be like a feel-good sitcom that leaves your heart warm and fuzzy.

While that is how it feels to have Christ in your life, it doesn’t mean we don’t get down and sad once in a while. In fact, it’s natural to feel those kinds of emotions throughout your day and life. It doesn’t make you any less Christian—everyone feels that way at some point.

What matters is how we handle such emotions.

While many people look to the world for help, i.e. alcohol, TV, celebrities, etc., we should be looking to God like it says in Psalm 20:1, “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!”

I think Billy Graham said it best: “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.’”

God wants us to go to Him when our hearts are troubled. Only He offers the kind of relief we need to heal and feel peaceful. God wants us to ask Him for help and relief. He invites us to come to Him in prayer.

It’s okay to cry and to feel bad some days. But turn to God in those times and know that He is always a constant and will never leave you. He dries our tears when we are crying alone in our rooms and whispers His love to us when we feel unloved by the world. He loves us.

Take this reminder of God’s unconditional love and remember to go to Him next time you are feeling troubled or sad. He will give you peace and hope.

Grand Canyon University is devoted to trusting and serving God. If you would like to learn more about our Christian identity and heritage or would like to read more devotionals, please visit our website and check out the GCU blogs.