The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading PlanSample

Grieving with Others

Through tragedy we learn that God is “close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). We learn that when bad things happen, we can get through them; that knowledge then gives us hope the next time tragedy strikes. God gives us the strength to move on and gives us other people to help us, which is critical because grief can only be accomplished in the context of relationship. We need others to hold us as we go through the process of letting down and letting go because we must have something good in hand to be able to let go of something bad. It is a little like being a trapeze artist: We can only let go of one trapeze if another is in view.

Grief is God’s way of getting us through and past things. And we need others to help us do that. Therefore the Bible says to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). If we do that, people find out that it really is true what Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

Since grief is absolutely necessary for successfully moving through life, and since it is an essential part of the growth process, we have to make sure it happens well in our life and in the lives of those we love. The only way it can happen well is in relationship — the way God designed it to work. It is the reason tear ducts are in the corners of the eyes. Someone’s grief should be evident as he or she looks into the eyes of another person. It is a relational process. Relationships provide care, support, structure and the balm of love to heal hurts. Get people grieving correctly — with other people — and they can get on with life. “A sad face is good for the heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:3). Grieving cures pain.

Taken from NIV Life Journey Bible