Revelation 21:4 (NKJV) ~~ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
One of the most difficult times of a person’s life is during times of grief.
There are different kinds of grief:
- One kind is when someone you love passes away, which is probably what most people think about when they hear the word ‘grief’.
- But there’s also grief when you lose a relationship of some sort.
- There’s grief when you move to a new city / country / culture, and you have to adjust to a new life.
- Or, grief when you lose a pet.
- And, grief for the loss of certain kinds of material things, like if your house burned down.
- There’s grief over the ending of a job that you loved.
And, the list can go on and on. Dictionary.com defines grief as “keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret.”
There are several stages to grief. PsychCentral.com says that the cycle of grief is made up of:
- Denial and Isolation
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
A Time of Grief
My family has been going through the grieving process lately. In a short amount of time, I’ve lost two uncles, an aunt, and a cousin. One of my uncles died of cardiac issues, and the rest all passed away from cancer. As a family, we’ve lost quite a few people over the years. This is not even the first time we’ve lose several within weeks of each other. Many of these died of cancer as well.
The stage that I’m in right now is anger. Oh, I’m not angry at our loved ones for leaving us. I’m not even angry at God for taking them. What I’m mad at right now is cancer. Last summer, I lost two friends within a month from cancer; both young men. I feel like every time I turn around someone else is being taken through cancer. It’s a horrible disease that has affected way to many people in this world for way too long. I feel helpless, and as hard as it is to grieve, watching my loved ones grieve, I think, is harder. I love them, and seeing them in pain is painful for me. There’s nothing I can do for them, except be there to hold them or cry with them.
We Will Get Comfort
But wait! I’m not the only one there to comfort them, and they’re not the only ones who are comforting me. Granted we have a wonderful, supportive family, friends, and church family; but there’s also another. You see God is also comforting us. As a matter of fact He is the source of our greatest comfort; truly. The Lord will comfort us in our time of sorrow. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) says “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
It’s because God comforts us that we will have the strength to comfort others in their time of need and mourning. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV) says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
There is Hope
The promise to be comforted and to be able to comfort is not the only promise that we are given. You see, it’s because of Jesus and what He did for us on the cross that we will actually get to see our loved ones again! Non-believers don’t have this hope. For Christians, death has been conquered. Our separation from our loved ones is only temporary. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NKJV) says “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”
Finally, one day there will be no more death, sorrow, pain, or grief. And that means, no more cancer! The day will come when all these things have passed away. So not only will we get to see our loved ones again, but we will get to live with them and with Jesus forever.
Let’s Pray
Dear God ~~ You are the comforter of my soul during our difficult times. Sometimes I forget to turn to You right away. Sometimes it takes a while before come to you. Thank You for the never ending comfort and the promises that You have given. Please help me to always turn to you during my times of grief, and help me to be such a good comfort to others that they will see only Jesus as the source. I pray in Jesus name, AMEN
Now It’s Your Turn
Thoughts? Questions? Want to share your story? Ask for prayer? Please share in the comments section.
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