Psalm 6:6-7
In the last year, too many of my family and friends have lost loved ones. Some lived a long, full life, but some were children. All were loved and all are lost to us forever as long as we're on Earth. There are no words to fix it or fast-forward through grief. The only true solace is hope found in the Word of God. For those of us who know and follow Christ, our hope is in His return where we will be gathered together again for eternity... but we're not there yet. And in all reality, whether it's been hours, days or lots of years, death leaves a hole in our hearts. So tonight, I offer you the following excerpts from the book Through a Season of Grief by Bill Dunn and Kathy Leonard, copyright Thomas Nelson.
Grief is not an enemy or a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being human. Grief is the cost of loving someone.
In the last year, too many of my family and friends have lost loved ones. Some lived a long, full life, but some were children. All were loved and all are lost to us forever as long as we're on Earth. There are no words to fix it or fast-forward through grief. The only true solace is hope found in the Word of God. For those of us who know and follow Christ, our hope is in His return where we will be gathered together again for eternity... but we're not there yet. And in all reality, whether it's been hours, days or lots of years, death leaves a hole in our hearts. So tonight, I offer you the following excerpts from the book Through a Season of Grief by Bill Dunn and Kathy Leonard, copyright Thomas Nelson.
Grief is not an enemy or a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being human. Grief is the cost of loving someone.
You may feel it is useless to talk about your grief because no one truly understands what you are going through. “You sometimes feel after an experience like this that you’re talking a foreign language,” says Dora, whose daughter died. “You feel like there’s no way anybody can know what you’re feeling. There is absolutely no way anyone can know the depth of your pain. So you feel like it’s futile to talk about it because words can’t express the pain.”
Although countless people have experienced grief before you, each person’s response to grief is different. Your path of grief will be uniquely your own. Be encouraged that regardless of how your grief appears to you or others...God, who knows intimately your personality, your relationships, and the experiences of your life, knows your grief and isn’t shocked or surprised by your responses.
Father, thank You that my way of grieving is distinctly my own, reflective of all You have sovereignly created me to be and experience.
Grief Runs Deep: Where Is the Hope?
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
— Psalm 31:24
When your heart is breaking, you can place your hope and trust in the Lord.
Anne Graham Lotz declares that “Jesus is your hope for the future. One day Jesus Christ will come back, and He will set all of the wrong right. Good will triumph over the bad. Love will triumph over hate. Righteousness will triumph over evil. He’s going to make it all right, and you can have absolute confidence that that’s going to take place. That’s your hope.”
Sovereign God, I choose hope. I choose faith. I choose life. Give me an unshakable faith in You.
Grief Lasts Longer Than Expected
Grief ’s unexpected turns will throw you again and again. You may feel that for every step forward, you take at least one step back. The grieving process generally takes longer than you ever imagined.
“Knowing the Lord and His comfort does not take away the ache; instead, it supports you in the middle of the ache. Until I get home to heaven, there’s going to be an ache that won’t quit. The grieving process for me is not so much a matter of getting rid of the pain, but not being controlled by the pain.”
Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of Your unfailing love. — Psalm 6:2-4
I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. My eye has wasted away with grief. — Psalm 6:6-7
Heavenly God, I cannot even begin to put my grief in a time frame. Thank You that I don’t have to. Comfort me and support me as I lean on You.
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. — Psalm 61:1-3
The Lord will carry you if you ask Him. When you are feeling so weak you cannot take another step, ask Him to lift you high into His loving arms. Then rest in Him with an open and listening heart. This does not mean your problems will disappear, but it does mean you will have Someone to share them with.
“If you are someone who does not know Jesus Christ as your Savior and you have just been widowed or bereaved, you have a tremendous burden,” says Elisabeth Elliot. “You are tired, and it is too big a burden to carry. The Lord says, ‘Come to Me, you who are tired and over-burdened, and I will give you rest.’” But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:31
To receive peace and rest in Christ, the instructions are clear. Jesus says, “Come to Me.” You must first approach Him and then talk to Him and quietly listen.
Lord God, teach us to embrace our grief and not fight it, so that we may experience the true healing that comes from You. Lord, we come to You. Our hearts are worn out, and we need You. Take our heavy burden today - in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
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