"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13).
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
Losing a loved one is difficult, but a close family member—particularly a child, spouse, or parent, can be even more gut-wrenching. The effects of such loss manifest uniquely for each person and situation. Processing and adjusting to overwhelming loss are harder for some than others. Grief lingers for some people for many, many years. We tend to internalize it and alter our coping methods to function in day-to-day life. Sadness, denial, confusion, shock, numbness, and anger are valid emotions! Considering this, compassion for self and others is SO important!
God is present in our moments of weakness. When sorrow’s weight is so heavy and we feel like we can’t walk another step alone, He carries us! Our Heavenly Father grieves with us. He watched His only beloved Son be crucified and feels grief just like we do— we are made in His image.
Ecclesiastes 3:4 assures us that there is, “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Finding that balance is the prayer of all faced with this challenging circumstance.
God desires so much more for us than to simply survive. He offers us victory over every battle to reclaim our joy and happiness. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (Psalm 55:22). His Word keeps us grounded and provides every needed extension of hope!
If you do not know Jesus, lean INTO Him in your grief. Ask Him to be Lord over your life; you will never be alone again. If it’s difficult to find the words to speak, simply say, “Dear Jesus, I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me of my sins and set my feet on Your righteous path. Amen.” He is a wonderful Counselor, Hiding Place, and Shelter from every storm. Let Him be all those things for you!
Guiding Points:
Call to Action: Seek God and His divine direction in good times and in bad. Read His Word and let the Holy Spirit comfort you through any grief or loss you may be experiencing. If you are caring for someone going through a time of loss, share this encouragement with them and let them know you are praying for them.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
“Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
“Now all glory to God, Who is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for being with us today. We ask You to be Lord over our lives, to comfort, strengthen, and deliver us from any grief we feel. You know and see our pain, and grieve with us. Please help us reclaim joy and happiness in You. Let us not just be survivors but warriors over our circumstances, as You guide our way. We love You, Lord! In Your precious name, we pray, Amen!
Final Thought: “His grace is sufficient, for His power is made perfect in weakness!” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Walking in His Grace Through Grief
Focus on the Fruits! KINDNESS
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Responding to the Call: Embracing Jesus as Our King
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:17-19).
Choosing a Soft Heart: Rekindling Your Hearts Compassion
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).
Focus on the Fruits! PATIENCE
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
God’s Shining Face: The Profound Impact on Our Lives
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24- 26).
Focus on the Fruits! PEACE
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
The Wisdom of Ecclesiastes: A Journey Towards Divine Purpose
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Focus on the Fruits! JOY
“God will let you laugh again; you’ll raise the roof with shouts of joy” (Job 8:20).
Taking Up the Mantle: Your Role in Expanding God’s Kingdom
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).