Healing for the HurtSampel

Our Help in Times of Grief

Grief is a very real part of life, and it is not limited to losing someone we care about to death. We grieve expectations and dreams. We may grieve loss of jobs, challenging relationships, difficult changes of circumstance, and even natural beginnings and endings, such as retirement or children growing older.

When we grieve for someone or something we care deeply about, our emotions can be overwhelming and unexpected. We may feel as though the darkness closing in and we will never see the light again. Sometimes we grieve by weeping and wailing and crying out to God. Other times, we keep our emotions hidden, appearing as though nothing happened at all. We may feel isolated, as though no one understands or cares about our pain. But even in the darkness, God walks with us.

What emotions do you feel in your grief? Do you feel alone? Thank Him for being with you always. Do you feel angry or betrayed? Thank Him for hearing your cries of pain and frustration. Are you overcome by intense sadness? Thank Him for being near to the brokenhearted. When Lazarus died, Jesus wept even though He knew that Lazarus would live again. In your grief, the God of all comfort weeps with you. He promises to walk with you, even in the darkest of valleys.

Questions:

How has God shown His love when you are grieving? Celebrate His eternal gift of hope!

What is one thing you have to be hopeful about even though you are hurting? Remember it when you are hurting and allow God’s hope to overcome your pain.

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When our pain is so dark and deep that we feel there is nowhere to go, we can trust in the One whose love never fails. He brings hope in the darkness, even when we can’t see the way. 

If you’d like to continue reading about God’s care for your hurting heart, please click here to download six more devotionals to bring encouragement in your time of difficulty.