All the sages, Christian, Jewish, and Philosophers, all speak to the deep pain, the dark night of the soul, and the pain that comes drop by drop and the wisdom that comes when one suffers a deep valley of grief, pain and sorrow.

There is a Hebrew word that I speak when talking with hostage families, or any Israeli, who lost loved ones, or with a Holocaust survivor.  “tanchumin” (tahn-koo-meen):  Condolences/comfort. This word does not have a direct English translation.  One short-simple Hebrew word is enough and has profound meaning for someone experiencing the loss of a loved one.

This word means my soul resonates with your soul, my humanity connects with your humanity, your sorrow is my sorrow, your pain is my pain and so on.

Paul spoke to these things, Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep (Rom. 12:15, KJV). This is “tanchumin.”

I will not pretend to know what deep pain anyone may be experiencing.  But I will say, that my heart aches with yours.  My tears are with your tears.

The prophet Zephaniah spoke passionately about God’s love for us.  In chapter 3:17, he reminds us that God is present, in our midst, that He is mighty and capable and is the one who saves.  The Hebrew word for saves is Yeshua, or Jesus.  And that He, Jesus, will rejoice over you with great gladness.  That He will quiet, calm, strengthen and comfort you with His love.  And, that He will sing over you.

The image is that of a mommy, or daddy, grandma or grandpa who holds the little one, when he or she hears the bump in the night, or falls and is hurt and comes running toward the place of comfort – you.  And the parent or grandparent scoops up the little and rocks them, hugs them, pats them, and sings that lullaby that a parent or grandparent would sing to the child.  And the child is comforted, protected, calmed, and will eventually experience peace.

I understand that it is a process. There is pain, until there is comfort and a difficult acceptance life’s journey. Simply, yet profoundly, when you are ready, climb up upon His lap and allow Him to sing to you.

There are no platitudes that will completely comfort.  Only, an arduous process of time will bring a degree of comfort and healing. Allow yourself to be human while you cry out to God with a myriad of emotions. God can handle it. Eventually, let Him rock you, hold you, and sing to you.

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT).

Shalom and Blessings,

Dr. Jeff