God's Resurrection PowerSample

Clinging to Hope in the Face of Loss

Death and other significant losses are unfortunate realities in our lives. As we navigate these sorrowful times, we can cling to the hope and peace that God provides. We can accept the fact that God’s timing and His ways are perfect, even though, in our pain, we may not understand.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. -2 Peter 3:8-9

In Scripture, we see that even Jesus mourned and endured the painful loss of His friend, Lazarus. Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced all the joys and pains of motherhood with Jesus. In Luke 2:35, when Jesus was still an infant, Mary was told that “a sword will pierce your very soul,” foretelling the long and difficult road she would walk as the mother of the Son of God. As Jesus was crucified, Mary was there; she cried, she mourned, and surely she begged God to take this pain from her. The agony and desolation of losing a child is indescribable.

Yet, Mary could rest her hope and her trust in the Lord. She knew that Jesus was born to save God’s people (see Matthew 1:21) and would have been very familiar with what the Scripture says in Isaiah 53:4, “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!”

She knew that God had a great plan and purpose for Jesus, yet trusting in His plan doesn’t take away the hurt and sting of heartache. Like Mary, when we find ourselves in a season of loss or mourning, we can cling to the words of Jesus in John 11:25, “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’”

Understanding God’s will and His perfect timing for our lives and those we love takes great faith and trust. In theory, it’s easy to proclaim that we trust Him, but then falter when the rubber hits the road. Over time, the Holy Spirit draws us closer to Himself. Through this growing of our relationship with Him, we learn to abide in Him more deeply.

As we grow in our relationship with God, we have more experiences with the opportunity to trust His timing and see the results of following His direction over our own hearts. It takes time; it takes faith. It’s something that we can only do with the help of the Holy Spirit.

God is capable of doing anything. He brings restoration and redemption. When we are broken, He restores us. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us and brought us redemption. God is so good. Even when we can’t understand what He’s doing, we can find comfort and solace in knowing “that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Father, heal our hearts. Bind up our wounds. Comfort our weary souls. We ask for Your love and peace as our heart mourns this loss. You know our hearts, Lord; You know what we’ve longed for, and we ask that You bring peace that surpasses all understanding! Remind us of the great love You demonstrated for mankind when You raised Jesus from the dead. Remind us of Your great resurrection power, love, and mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Declare this truth over yourself as you pray and meditate on God’s Word: God is greater than my fear, my pain, and my loss. God is bringing restoration, healing, and comfort to me. I declare 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” I am walking in the truth of His Word and His promises.