Please note that devotions will be published Monday – Friday this week.
Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Sharon Rachner.
Grief is an emotion common to the human experience. Multiple Bible characters experienced deep loss and sadness, including Job, Naomi, Hannah, and David. Even Jesus mourned (John 11:35; Matthew 23:37-39). After Lazarus died, Jesus went to the village of Bethany where Lazarus was buried. When Jesus saw Martha and the other mourners weeping, He also wept. He was moved by their grief over Lazarus’s death, even though He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead.
Grief is a natural response to pain and loss. We must remember that feelings of grief are temporary. “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). There is an end to mourning.
There are many Scriptures that remind us of God’s faithfulness in times of mourning. He is with us even in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). When David sorrowed, he prayed: “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8. God sees our grief and does not disdain it. Like Jesus entered into the grief of the mourners in Bethany, God enters into our grief. At the same time, He reassures us that all is not lost. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “be still” and rest in the knowledge that He is God. He is our refuge (Psalm 91:1-2).
An important part of overcoming grief is expressing it to God. The Psalms contain numerous examples of pouring out one’s heart to God. Interestingly, the psalmist may start a psalm with expressions of grief, but almost invariably will end it with praise (Psalm 13; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 30:11-12; Psalm 56). God understands us (Psalm 139:2). When we commune with Him, we are able to open our minds to the truth that He loves us, that He is faithful, that He is in control, and that He knows how He is going to work it out for our good.
An important step in overcoming grief is to share it with others. Often, the grieving tends to shun others, increasing feelings of isolation and misery. Group settings can be invaluable. They offer listening ears, helpful encouragement, camaraderie, and guidance in working through the grief.
Loss is part of life, and grief is a natural response to loss. But we have the hope of Christ, and we know that He is strong enough to carry our burdens (Matthew 11:30). We can give our hurt to Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We can find solace in the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Paraclete (John 14:16). In grief, we cast our burdens on Him and ultimately experience hope (Hebrews 6:19-20).
Eulogies can be a helpful way to honor people we’ve lost. Hebrews 11 could be considered a “eulogy” of sorts; that chapter is an excellent example of writing in praise of those who have gone before us.
Much of the Bible’s message about death is one of comfort (Matthew 5:4). The greatest comfort Christ offers to the dying or bereaved is the hope of heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13) and the knowledge that what happens is overseen by a compassionate God.
“Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief” (Psalm 31:9). My heart is broken, my mind exhausted. I cry out to you and hardly know what to ask. All I can do is tell you how I feel and ask you to “keep track of all my sorrows. . . . [collect] all my tears in your bottle. . . . [and record] each one in your book” as I pour them out to you” (Psalm 56:8). Amen.
Tomorrow’s daily devotion will address Finding Your New Normal.