Embracing the Pain of Loss
When tragedy strikes, it’s natural to want to turn away from the pain and grief that follows. But what if we took a different approach? What if we faced our sorrow head-on, just as David did when he mourned the loss of Saul and his son Jonathan?
A Time to Mourn
David’s lament was not just a personal expression of grief, but a call to the entire nation to come together in mourning. He refused to sugarcoat the reality of death, instead choosing to confront it with tears, time, and truth. As his son Solomon would later write, “There is…a time to mourn” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).
The Truth About Grief
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to grieve, but not to lose hope. He reminded them that God has the final say in death, and that our loved ones are now free from pain, doubt, and struggle. They may be gone from our sight, but they are living in a world where every day is a picnic, where every breath is filled with the beauty of springtime, and where every step is a joyful run through fields of flowers.
Life’s Fleeting Nature
Life moves at an incredible pace, and before we know it, our days are numbered. As Psalm 39:5 reminds us, “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” Yet, even in the midst of grief, we can find comfort in the knowledge that our time apart is short-lived.
The Promise of Reunion
When we say goodbye to our loved ones, we often do so with the assumption that we’ll see them again soon. And why not? We know that reunion is just around the corner, a mere splinter of an eternal moment away. So let us not be afraid to face our grief, to give ourselves time to mourn, and to permit ourselves the tears that come with loss. For God understands our sorrow, having buried his own Son. And he also knows the joy of resurrection, a joy that we will one day experience as well.
Why We Struggle to Face Grief
So why do we often struggle to face our grief with confidence and hope? Why do we instead mourn like those who have no hope? Perhaps it’s because we’ve forgotten that we are children of God, heirs to an eternal inheritance. Let us remember that we are not alone in our grief, and that God is always with us, guiding us through the darkest of times.
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