GRIEF AND LOSS 

There is this fear that has always tried to scare me for years- to receive an international call especially when I am in deep sleep.

I live a Continent away from my family members, so a normal phone call is always an exciting one which is quite different from the unusual calls.

But it was time for me to face that midnight call the other day to hear that my maternal grandpa went to be with the Lord.

The grief of losing my grandpa is real right now. Loss is truly painful, and it is something everyone must face on this earth.

The unexpected losses of our loved ones are so devastating. Imagine being unable to even attend the funeral like me.

–How do we rise from such devastating times?

Dear Friend, the brokenness and the tears are real but so is our assurance in Christ.

ASSURANCE TO OVERCOME GRIEF AND LOSS:

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

The assurance is that when we live on this earth, we must live for Christ, and when our souls depart it is to be united with the lover of our soul.

We will get to witness the face of the One who died for us and loves us unconditionally.

In the latter part of Philippians 1:21 we read ‘TO DIE IS GAIN”

When we leave our earthly bodies, the GAIN is that we became free from the distresses of this life.

The hurts, the ongoing sickness, the disappointments, the rejections, and the humiliation are no more.

Here are 10 Bible verses to overcome grief and loss :

1. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15, KJV

God holds the death of His blood bought saints in high esteem.

2.And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38, KIV

Death separate a child from his mother (including unborn)

a spouse from each other,

a parent from their children,

a friend from one other.

But the full assurance of faith for every child of God is that even death cannot separate us from the love of God.

3. for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes” Revelation 7:17, NASB

The Good Shepherd of our lives will guide us to the springs of the living waters and promises to wipe our every tear. God never leaves His flock to be on their own. What a blessed reminder it indeed is.

4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4, NASB

This verse greatly comforts me knowing that God carried my griefs and my sorrows.

We are more used to hearing that God carried our sins. But today may I lovingly remind you that Jesus carried your loss, your sorrows, all your heartaches on the cross as well.

5.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4, KJV

There will be no more violent, unexpected, nor natural death. Every tear, every weeping, and every sorrowful moment shall cease because God, Himself will wipe it all away.

6. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor 15:52-54, KJV

Praise the Lord! When the King of Kings returns to take us home one fine day, all those who have died will be raised up. We will be free from this corrupt body and the frailty this world provides.

7. And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14, NIV.

The word “sleep” is used for every child of God who has left their earthly abode. Christians must grieve but not without hope knowing fully well that the same Jesus who died and rose again will raise His children up as well.

8. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34 :18,kjv

What a blessed God we serve who is ever near the broken hearted. I pray you feel His presence in your grief right now soothing your aching heart.

9.. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God 2 Corinthians 1:3-4,NASB

God is a compassionate God who comforts us in our grief and loss .After we are comforted , we must never forget to comfort others who are grieving today.

It is important that an entire community come forward to comfort those who are grieving.

10. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled,  John 11:33, 35 ,NASB

This is one of my most favorite story from the Gospel of John. Mary and Martha had just lost their only brother, and Jesus walks towards Mary and sees her crying.

The sisters were weeping, and the reaction that Jesus gave is what is the most comforting. Jesus is moved by our griefs and weeps and He weeps with you today.

JESUS WEPT!

Read – “Why Jesus Christ is the God of our painful gethsemanes”

Reflection :

Losing a loved one is unavoidable whether one is a Christian or not.

—But what could be the reason that losing a loved one is not a complete loss for a Christian?

–Which of these verses helped your overcome grief and loss?

Until we meet again

Diana

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