Haunted By Grief

What this episode covers

Stupid Statements I have Heard at Funerals Don’t feel so bad it could be worse They are in a better place/ They are better off I know how you feel my cat just died It is important that you don’t question God during this time God is still in control of everything What is Grief? Grief is a deep sorrow, typically caused by someone’s death, a deep distress caused by bereavement or a cause of suffering. A Psalm of Extremity I cry tears to you oh Lord Tears because I cannot speak Words are lost among my fears, pain, sorrows, losses, hurts But tears you understand my wordless prayer you hear Lord wipe away my tears, all tears Not in some distant day but now, here by Joseph Bayly How Does Grief Haunt Us? Grief is extremely personal Grief is exhaustingly debilitating Grief is excessively long lasting Grief is exceptionally depressing Grief is extensively focused loss Grief is exceedingly painful On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” – John 11:17-27 What does Jesus do for those who grieve? Jesus offers us connection We gain connection through the fullness of His presence We gain connection through the compassion of His friendship We gain connection through the finding of His love Jesus offers confidence Confidence moves through His identity – I am Confidence moves through His involvement – resurrection Jesus is involved in the promise of resurrection Jesus is involved in the purpose of resurrection Jesus is involved in the plan of resurrection Jesus is involved in the preparation of resurrection Jesus is involved in the progress of resurrection Confidence moves through His investment – life Jesus is the starting place of life Jesus is the supply of life Jesus is the shepherd of life Jesus is the significance of life Confidence moves through His invitation – Do you believe this? Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Jesus offers us compassion Compassion is the act of love Compassion is an act of leading Compassion is an act of liberating Compassion is an act of lightening Jesus offers us comfort Jesus comforts us through sustaining Jesus comforts us through supplying Jesus comforts us through stabilizing How do we handle grief? Never forget that you have shelter around you Never forget that you have support underneath you Never forget that you have strength behind you