Grief can be defined as an intense sorrow, especially after someone’s death. Another definition says it is “a keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss.” However, grief doesn’t only occur when we mourn the loss of loved ones.
Grieving is individualized and more often than not, solitary. But as we grieve and mourn, we do not serve an unfeeling, remote God who cannot or does not sympathize with our groanings.
Psalm 56:8 says that God so much values each tear we shed that He makes a record of each one. He cares and mourns with us.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Don’t believe me, or scripture? John 11:35 tells us that, “Jesus wept” over the death of Lazarus. Furthermore, Isaiah 53:4 describes Jesus as “a man of sorrows acquainted with grief.” Jesus is familiar with grief. He was crucified, and for the transgressions of others, after all. So, who better to understand us when we are deep in the throes of grief?
As we mourn, we should remember that we are not like those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Grieve while knowing that you are not alone. Grieve knowing that God is still in control despite appearances to the contrary.
A good example of this is in 1 Samuel 30. David and his men had returned home to Ziklag to find that their enemies had invaded the town, burnt everything and carried off their wives and children! Can you imagine coming home from work and discovering your family had been kidnapped? Not surprisingly, David and his men were deeply grieved. The bible says “they wept until they were too exhausted to weep” in 1 Samuel 30:4.
But things got even worse for David. His men turned on him. They blamed him for their misfortune and threatened to stone him, however, David’s response may surprise many of us.
1 Samuel 30:6 says, “but David encouraged himself in the Lord.” Wow.
There’s another example of how David coped with grief in 2 Samuel 12:15-22. He had spent days fasting, crying and pleading with God to spare his baby son all to no avail. His son died. His behavior whilst the child was ill had so much concerned and worried his household staff that they didn’t even know how to break the news to him.
However, his response when he found out the child’s death was again the right response.
“So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.” (2 Samuel 12:20 NKJV).
I found it interesting that he went to God even before he ate, bearing in mind that he hadn’t eaten for days. David had to still be deeply mourning his loss, but even so, he never forgot to rely on God to overcome it and accept it. The same God who ultimately chose not save his son, but could do much about his wounds.
I want to leave you with the below scriptures as a reminder and encouragement for your time of grief.
- Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (I Peter 5:6-7 NKJV)
- The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalms 34:18-19 NKJV)
- God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. (Psalms 46:1-2 NKJV)
- The Lord upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. (Psalms 145:14 NKJV)
- Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 NKJV)
- He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. (Psalms 147:3 NKJV)
This article first appeared on ReflectionsintheMess.com
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