The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18
The moment had finally come. Shisham was about to give birth to her first child, and her husband, parents, and extended family gathered close, full of anticipation.
There had been health complications along the way, but Shisham wasn’t prepared for the tragic loss of her baby just before delivery. Grief overwhelmed the entire family. In the tradition of Nepal, the extended family shared an intergenerational home. The home that was once filled with noisy joy became a silent place, filled instead with emotional brokenness, tears and confusion.
But in the face of such pain, Shisham shared, “I learned how to cope with loss, find hope, and take small steps toward healing during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.” Into this unbearable situation, the radio brought a little devotional program that became a source of encouragement and strength.
As they listened, Shisham and her family learned that God is not silent or unfeeling in our grief. Day after day, Shisham heard from the scriptures that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18) and that He is a kind shepherd who gently carries His lambs close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11).
Shisham wrote the radio station to say that those short programs brought life-changing comfort to the family. The messages helped them navigate their loss during the darkest of times. “We are deeply thankful for the support and hope,” she said.
Gratitude has replaced grief. All because one family learned of God’s gentle care for them in their pain. All because they heard—in their own language, day after day, through a simple devotional like this one.
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