The grief and pain we are experiencing in the world today is not privy only to this generation. History helps us recall the constant ebb and flow of times of peace that quickly turn into times of sorrow. How do we stay focused and maintain joy in the midst of sorrow and trauma?
We have been gifted with emotions that, like the red light on a car dashboard, help us to know something is going on inside the car. In renewing our minds emotions can assist us in our response to events so we can address and process them and return to peace and health. One of the most challenging is loss that leads to grief. Loss of hope, loss of life, loss of relationship, loss of adventure, loss of job, loss of finances, loss of loved ones, family or friends, loss of stability, loss of privacy, loss of safety, loss of trust.
Throughout God’s word we see a common theme of life, loss and resurrection. The comforting news of hope we find is God never leaves us or forsakes us – He is always with us. He reminds me in my personal journey of loss or grief: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit,” Psalm 34:18.
Lately during my times of prayer the following thoughts and scriptures have helped me stay focused on Him and maintain peace and hope. I’d like to share them with you that they may help you to maintain your hope and trust in Him in these uncertain times. When I feel unsettled I speak these verses aloud to encourage myself in Him:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths,” Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust! What an important exhortation for us today. God uses everything for good. His name is Redeemer and he brings life. Choose to trust Him each day. He desires to see you prosper.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” Psalm 73:26.
He is for you and cares about you. His joy is our strength. Trust in him to help guide you.
“Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted,” Isaiah 53:4.
Who better than Jesus knows the loneliness we may feel in our sorrow and grief. Talk with him and share your heart with him. You are not alone.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1.
When we have relationship with him he shines his light on our path and guides us through our pain and sorrow. He teaches us to fear not as we learn to share our discouragement and rest in his love.
“Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6+.
Paul continues to remind us to direct and focus our thoughts on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Why? Because like us, he experienced the battle in our mind where darkness comes to direct our focus on what we have lost, poor choices, mistakes, regrets, instead of the life giving blood and hope in Christ. What we focus on we make room for – choose to focus on life!
You Are Not Alone
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” Matthew 5:4. Be encouraged, God knows where you live, he knows what you are going through. He loves you and will come to you with comfort and healing. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
God comes to comfort and strengthened us even in our darkest moments. In the darkness he brings his light, revelation and truth so we may grow in wisdom and understanding and then give support to others.
God is always with us and never leaves us in times of sorrow. He is always near with his love and hope to bring his peace and joy once again.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid,” John 14:27.
Your emotions are a gift from God, so try not to ignore them or be afraid of them. Embrace the pain or loss you may experience as you journey through the stages of grief. There is life waiting as you choose to acknowledge your feelings and allow God to guide you through them.
“…Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” Joshua 1:9.
There is no special “right way” to process our grief or disappointment. However it is suggested by counselors that there are five basic experiences of grief with various emotions in each level: Acknowledging the Loss; Experiencing the Pain; Re-Adjusting (Adapting) to the Loss; Reinvesting Emotional Energy (Sense of Healing) and Reconciling the Loss (New Directions – remembering with less pain.). You may walk in and out of these experiences at various times.
His Oil of Gladness
Remember as we walk in his Covenant of Peace, we can choose to give up our sorrow to him and ask him to replace the sadness with his joy, peace and hope over time. He loves: “To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified,” Isaiah 61:3.
So I pray today from Romans 15:13 for you, that our God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace in believing (as you walk through healing for your pain), so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope,” Romans 15:13.
In His Love Always,
