GRIEVING WITH HOPE

One of the hardest things to learn is how to grieve when we lose something or someone important to us. We often fight against feeling pain and allowing ourselves to be sad and weep when we we see a part of our lives ending. Yet often we have to let things die or experience their loss to move to a place of surrender and trust so that God can start something new. The seed has to go in the ground and die to take root and grow into a plant that bears fruit.

In John’s gospel we find the story of Lazarus’ death. Jesus heard that Lazarus, whom He loved, was sick. And instead of leaving right away to go and heal him, Jesus waited until Lazarus had died to go. This account shows the humanity of our Lord. He was indeed a man of sorrows and acquainted with loss. Jesus always did the Father’s will. After waiting to go to see his friends, and seeing the grief of Mary and Martha over the loss of their brother it says,

“When Jesus looked at Mary and saw her weeping at his feet, and all her friends who were with her grieving, he shuddered with emotion and

was deeply moved with tenderness and compassion. …”

“Then tears streamed down Jesus’ face.”

John 11:33, 35 TPT

Jesus knew that God would be glorified because Lazarus was going to be raised from the dead. He trusted God had something greater in store, yet he still was deeply moved by the grief of those he loved. This is such a powerful reminder for us that Jesus is with us when we experience loss. He feels great compassion and tenderness for us, and he weeps with us. The comfort of knowing Jesus who lived as a man and experienced pain and loss like we do is immeasurable. He knew the Father and the God of all comfort, and He still experienced heartbreak and grief. Jesus would also know what David had written and the promises made in scripture.

“The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain…

Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones, the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated by what they face.”

Psalm 34:18-19 TPT

Holding on to the promises of God gives us a place to anchor our hope. God’s word gives us assurance in the midst of pain and suffering. God promises that He will always be with us and that He will deliver and restore us. Even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we can experience God’s love for us. His Spirit guides us through our suffering. Jesus, our Savior, suffered as we do. Even in our grief he holds out hope for us. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the life. Knowing God’s truth enables us to grieve, but not like those who have no hope. Jesus is our hope. Those who know him will be resurrected and have new life. So let us hold on to the hope we have been given. Let us trust in His tender compassion and constant presence, and in our grief dig deep to know His unfailing love.

“How enriched are those who find their strength in the Lord;

within their hearts are the highways of holiness*

(roads that lead us to God’s holy presence).

Even when their paths wind through the dark valley of tears,

they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others find only pain.

He gives to them a brook of blessing filled with the rain of an outpouring.

They grow stronger and stronger with every step forward,

and the God of all gods will appear before them in Zion.”

Psalm 84:5-7 TPT

May God bless you with an awareness of His faithfulness and love, and may you stand firmly on this hope.

Betsy O\’Callaghan