Real Hope: GriefSample

Unfamiliar Terrain

I often think of life and faith as a journey. Perhaps that’s because some of the books that have held a lot of meaning for me have used the metaphor of a journey. Hinds Feet on High Places and A Pilgrim’s Progress are at the top of that list.

Having done some hiking myself, I often think of life experiences in terms of journey and landscape. Grief is part of the life landscape we will all journey in at some point in our lives. I’ve hiked on the edge of deserts and across empty rocky rivers. I’ve also hiked in mountainous terrain in mist and rain. These journeys have been planned. I have had time to study the way and to work to be prepared. Grief, however, may land us in a terrain that is unfamiliar with no time to consider how to be prepared.

As this verse says: hearts break open in lands of grief, but God is with us and can help us find our way even if the weight of grief seems spirit-crushingly heavy. I don’t always feel God’s presence, so it’s such a comfort to have the knowledge that when I’m grieving God doesn’t move away. Instead He comes close.

I pray today if you’re grieving that you would know God is close to hold you and bind up your broken heart. May your spirit find shelter in God’s presence today. God knows the terrains of grief that are unknown to us, and He can be our trusted friend.

Written by Kath Henry