Finding Hope in the Darkest of Times
As a parent who has lost a child, I understand the overwhelming pain and grief that can consume your every waking moment. The wound of losing a child is one that never fully heals, but I want to offer you two hopeful words: God is a healer, and your wound will become your blessing.
The Intensity of Grief
In the year following my son’s sudden death, I experienced anguish and sorrow that cut my heart with an intensity I never knew was possible. Simple tasks like getting out of bed or standing up from the couch seemed insurmountable. I feared that I was trapped in misery for the rest of my life.
A Message of Hope
But then I met Nancy Guthrie, a woman who had lost two children nearly 15 years before my own loss. She told me, “God is a healer.” These simple yet powerful words opened up the possibility that God could heal my broken heart. Nancy’s words gave me hope that I could make progress, that I could find a way to navigate my grief and emerge from the darkness.
God’s Healing Power
If you trust in the Lord, cry out to Him, and process your grief, God will move you forward. You will make progress, and you will look back on where you are now with gratitude. God has healed my heart to the point where I have a functional life, a life where my focal mission is not just surviving each day but living a life that honors my child’s memory.
The Blessing of a Broken Heart
But here’s the thing: God will not completely heal you in this life. And that’s okay. A day will come when your fears will change, and you’ll worry that the pain will go away and you’ll struggle to remember your child. But that’s not true. The enduring wound that resides in your heart is a blessing. It’s a reminder of how much you love your child, and it’s a testament to the depth of your love.
The Wounds of Christ
In Christ’s economy, we see and experience love through wounds. Jesus took on a glorified body after His resurrection, but He retained the wounds in His hands. These wounds tell us about the deep love that the Father has for His lost people. They remind us of the pain that the Son endured to bring sinners into fellowship with a holy God.
Your Wound, Your Blessing
In time, the wound that may be crippling you today will begin to heal by God’s grace. You will progress, and you will emerge from the early grief. But this wound, which may seem like your enemy today, will become your blessing down the road. It will be the wound that you present in your heart to your child, demonstrating just how much you still deeply love them. Your wound will become your friend, reminding you of the love that you share with your child.
I pray that these words bring you hope and comfort in the midst of your grief. Remember, God is a healer, and your wound will become your blessing.
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