Dealing with grief 

‘When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.’ Psalm 84:6 NLT 

Standing at Ground Zero, a Christian fire fighter, the only Twin Towers survivor from his fire station, asked, ‘How can I ever forgive those who did this?’ He’d attended more funerals in two weeks than most of us will in a lifetime. Is God angry when we struggle with honest emotions like hate or fear? No, until we come to grips with the enormity of our loss and the injustice done to us, we’re not ready to forgive. Indeed when we rush to forgive, we forgive only in part and we’re released only in part. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted’ (Matthew 5:4 KJV). Until you embrace the one, you can’t experience the other. It’s not time that heals, it’s insight! We all know people who were wounded 20 or 30 years ago, whose wounds are still as fresh today as ever. As God’s children, we’re not exempt from the stages of grief: a) denial – ‘It’s not real, it can’t be happening’ b) anger – ‘It’s not fair. Why is God letting this happen to me?’ c) bargaining – ‘I’ll do anything; just make it go away’ d) depression – silence and withdrawal, and finally, e) acceptance, when we’re ready to pray, ‘Not my will but Thine be done.’ Whether it’s the loss of your child, your marriage, your job, your health, or anything else you value, it’s in turning to God that we receive the grace to embrace it, grieve it, express it, release it and then ‘go from strength to strength.’ 

Prayer Point:

Lord, thank You that even in the midst of my grief and sadness, You promise to provide refreshing springs of joy. You understand how I feel, and the questions in my heart – thank You that I can be honest with You. Please draw near to comfort and strengthen me. Walk with me through this valley of weeping and help me receive Your grace. Amen.