
“Lamenting is the spiritually mature response to sadness and sorrow. Our spiritual aliveness is not found in our ability to suppress our sadness. Our spiritual aliveness is found in our ability to bring it to God.”
Rich Villodas
Grief is heavy. Carrying loss weighs us down. How can we handle grief so we can get to the other side of it?
A few months ago, while grieving loss, the Holy Spirit directed me to Habakkuk 3:17-18. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” The Counselor nudged me to list each specific loss out loud, to acknowledge my grief using the prophet’s words. As I declared, “though this is happening, though I am hurting, though I’m grieving this loss,” I wept more with each acknowledgment. Getting it out was the first step to releasing my grief and letting it roll off me and onto Christ.
After the prophet released and named his specific loss, he found joy in God, not in his circumstances. We, too, can rejoice because of who God is, even during grief. Trusting in the Lord’s sovereignty strengthens and enables us to climb new heights with Him.
Next, the Lord instructed me to meditate on Psalm 73:23-28 to process my grief and to get my heart and mind focused on the truth He desired. God reminded me that in and through my loss, He is continually with me, holds my right hand, guides me with His counsel, and eventually receives me to glory. I confessed that I still desired too many things and that my heavenly Father knew what was best for me. I admitted that as I age and my body weakens, God makes me emotionally and spiritually strong as He’s my portion and provides what I need. I realized it was good to stay close to Him, to make Him my place of safety, and to testify to His goodness in my life.
As I became aware of my loss and poured out my heart to the Comforter, and as I reflected on God’s truth, I exchanged my sadness with peace.
“The deepest level of worship is praising God despite pain, trusting Him during a trial, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant.”
Rick Warren
Relevant Reflection:
What will you do differently the next time you have a loss to grieve?
Image by Holger Schué from Pixabay
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