Experiencing loss is inevitable. Being able to hold it together post-loss is uncertain.
Some people get to “prepare” for the loss when someone is ill, and we may grieve while they're still here. For some, loss is sudden and completely catches us off guard, and sometimes it’s a mixture of both; someone is ill, and you grieve them, but they pass sooner than expected, or you experience a sea of emotions that nobody could have prepared you for. At the end of the day, it’s painful, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
While our loved one has transitioned, we’re left here in battle. Every day feels like we’re battling between wanting to mourn until we dry up and/or push through swiftly to show how resilient we are. Everyone grieves differently; this isn’t about how we individually handle grief. This is about the expectations that we put on ourselves when faced with grief. Oftentimes, we feel alone in this grief, after everyone has sent their condolences, their love, their meaningful messages – all that’s left is you and your broken heart. Here’s where people search for ways to cope with loss. Depending on where you’re searching, it can lead you to spiral down or rise upwards. On the journey to find what can help pick up the pieces, I encourage you to seek God.
There’s this creator who was very intentional about the way he made everything come together…including you. So when he created, he knew you would be in this very place in your life right now. You’re trying to pick up all the pieces of your heart after loss, but the more you pick up, the more the pieces fall right out of your hand. It feels like you’re in this never-ending cycle of pain. This creator's name is God. The almighty, the all-powerful, the redeemer, the alpha and omega, the merciful, the graceful, the loving, the kind, the supreme being, the sustainer, holy and just, eternal and unchanging, the promise keeper, and the creator of you.
Our Heavenly Father knew you BEFORE you were born, the scripture says he knitted you together in your mother’s womb. He gave his son to die for your sins BEFORE you were born. Our Heavenly Father thought of you when he gave you His Holy Spirit to live on the inside of you BEFORE you were born. THEREFORE, he is with you as you walk through this journey of grief.
God wants you to include him in what you’re battling with right now; he wants to comfort you and take your pain away. It doesn’t mean you won’t think or ache for your loved one; it just means you’ll have someone holding you together when you do. Let him hold you together.
Call on God daily, let him know that this deep ache in the pit of your stomach is too much to bear alone. Read his word: The Bible is a love story and shows how many times God has brought his people through. Pray, God wants to hear from you, and he wants you to hear from him. He is loving, and his love is unconditional. I encourage you to surrender to him and lean on him. He promises that he is near to the broken-hearted, that those who mourn will be comforted.
I know this to be true, when I lost my daughter, Naomi – I wanted to mourn until I dried up. He comforted me, as time went on, my pain was eased, I felt held, I felt that she was secured. Then I felt grateful that I got to see her, hold her, and witness how hard her little body was fighting. God promised me that she would be alive when she was born, and she was. I’m so grateful for that. God is all-knowing, and he goes before us. Only he knows why things happen the way they do, but we can find comfort that he is good, loving, trusting, and worthy to be praised. In this life, we will have tribulations, but in the life, we will always have God in the name of Jesus Christ.
Peace in the promise:
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4)
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3)
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Song Of The Week:
Gratitude - Brandon Lake (Lyrics)
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