Facing the Giant of Grief and LossSample
The process of becoming whole
‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.’ Psalm 30:5 NKJV
The process of becoming whole involves: a) feeling deeply, b) dealing honestly, and c) making way for healing. Sometimes we try to find ‘quick relief’ by releasing it before we’ve gone through it. We do that because we fear the process. We run from the pain or try to replace it with another feeling as soon as we can. Sometimes we use alcohol, drugs, sex, money or work. But that only makes it worse! With God’s help, you can feel the pain, let it go, and move forward. Listen: ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning’ (Psalm 30:5 NKJV). You must go through one in order to get to the other. Moses was the greatest leader Israel ever had. His death was an unspeakable loss. Together God’s people wept on the Plains of Moab. For 30 days and nights God stood by, allowing them to mourn in a healthy expression of grief. No hurrying, no divine censure, no denial. Only when God saw that they had completed the process did He tell Joshua to lead them forward. They had to go through to get through! We all do! Listen: ‘After the death of Moses...the LORD spoke to Joshua...saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them...Be strong and of good courage...do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”’ (Joshua 1:1-9 NKJV). The God who spoke those words is your God!
Prayer Point:
Lord, Satan would tell me that this grief will last forever, with no end. Thank You for Your promise that, however grim this time is, this is not the case. Help me to be patient as I pass through this time of grief, trusting Your assurance that joy is ahead of me. And when I have lost my joy, Lord, thank You that You give me Yours. Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
Any grieving process is painful. But if you are facing the loss of a loved one, the Bible says God is ‘near to the broken-hearted’ (Psalm 34:18 ESVUK), and He is able to carry you through the process of grieving. Read this 30-day devotional from UCB about how God draws close to those experiencing grief and loss.
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