movie analogy

Manchester by the Sea: Some Wounds Don't Heal (Psalm 88)

Source: ChurchWiseAI98 wordsAI-crafted by ChurchWiseAI

Lee Chandler accidentally killed his children in a fire. When his nephew asks him to stay, Lee says: "I can't beat it. I'm sorry." He means it. Not every story ends with healing. Psalm 88 is the only psalm that ends in darkness: "darkness is my closest friend." The Bible includes it because some grief doesn't resolve. Lee's tragedy doesn't become testimony; it remains tragedy. The gospel isn't "God will fix everything now." It's "God is present even in what cannot be fixed." Lee can't stay—but he can take his nephew fishing. Sometimes survival is the only victory.

Topics & Themes

grieftraumaunresolvedlamentsurvivaldarkness

Scripture References

Psalm 88Psalm 88:18

Powered by ChurchWiseAI

This illustration is a preview of what our AI-powered ministry platform can do. ChurchWiseAI offers a full suite of tools built for pastors and church leaders.

Sermon Companion

Build entire sermons with AI — outlines, illustrations, application points, and slide decks tailored to your tradition.

Ministry Chatbot

An AI assistant trained on theology, counseling frameworks, and church administration to help with any ministry question.

Bible Study Builder

Generate discussion guides, devotionals, and small group materials from any passage — in minutes, not hours.

Try any app free for 7 days — no credit card required.

Get Started

More Illustrations for Psalm 88

1 more illustration anchored to this passage

🕊️prayerUniversal

Prayer in Despair

God, I have nothing left. No words. No strength. No hope. Just this prayer: Help. Amen.

despairhonestyplea for helpPsalm 88

Related Illustrations

🕊️prayerUniversal

Morning Prayer: In Grief

God who weeps, this morning I wake to loss again. The absence is the first thing I feel, before I even open my eyes. I don't ask You to take the grief away— it's love with nowhere to go. But I ask Y

grieflosspresence of GodPsalm 34:18
🧘spiritual disciplineUniversal

Community and Fellowship: Augustine on Friendship in Christ

Teaching on Community and Fellowship from Augustine of Hippo: Augustine on Friendship in Christ

friendshipcommunitygriefProverbs 27:17
🎬movie analogyUniversal

The Way: Walking Through the Valley (Psalm 23:1-6)

In The Way, Tom walks the Camino de Santiago carrying his estranged son's ashes. He didn't choose this journey—grief thrust it upon him. But somewhere along the 500 miles, the path becomes more than p

griefpilgrimageprovisionPsalm 23:1-6
🎬movie analogyUniversal

Manchester by the Sea: Jesus Wept (John 11:35)

In Manchester by the Sea, Lee Chandler lives in frozen grief after accidentally causing his children's deaths. He cannot forgive himself; he cannot feel. When his brother dies and leaves him guardian

griefweepinglossJohn 11:35
🎬movie analogyUniversal

Steel Magnolias: Weeping with Those Who Weep (John 11:35)

In Steel Magnolias, M'Lynn holds her daughter Shelby as she dies from diabetic complications. At the funeral, M'Lynn's rage explodes. Then her friends surround her—crying, laughing, holding her. At La

griefcommunityweepingJohn 11:35
🎬movie analogyUniversal

Inside Out: Joy Needs Sadness (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Joy in Inside Out believes her job is to keep Riley happy at all costs. She sidelines Sadness, seeing her as the enemy. But the breakthrough comes when Joy realizes Sadness is not the problem - Sadnes

emotionsgriefjoyEcclesiastes 3:4
Back to all illustrations