Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

"I am afraid of another miscarriage."

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“What should I do? I am upset with God and I am tired of crying. My sister had a miscarriage and I think it is my fault because of sin. I keep asking Jesus/God to give my sister another baby. I am ready for her to have another, but I am afraid of another miscarriage. What can I do to convince God to let my sister have another baby?”

Have you ever read Psalm 139? I encourage you to make verses 1-6 a prayer of admission of who God is. He knows everything about you, your sister, how you feel. The Lord is God and He is at work to display His own glory in His own way. Oftentimes we tend to get upset because we have a limited perspective on what He is doing—but He sees the big picture. These verses help us remember who is in control.

Make verses 7-12 a prayer of surrender. No matter what you experience, trust Him—believe Him. He cannot lie, so if we don’t trust Him, we are saying we know better than Him. God is right there with you, your sister, the baby--even through the darkest hour. Remember: King David had a child and lost him while he was still an infant; nevertheless, he still sought after God’s heart.

Verses 13-16 remind us of what is going on in the womb. As a father and grandfather-to-be, I have been in awe of what God does, watching babies grow and come and go in the world. God knows what He is doing. Note verse 16.

Verses 17-18 remind us that God’s thoughts are precious, and He remains near. Are His thoughts precious to you?

Verses 19-22 remind us that God is good and we need to be willing to separate from sin and wickedness—and that includes selfishness (which is idolatry—loving ourselves more than God)—check your heart and see if it is rising up against God.

Read verses 23-24. Ask God to show you your heart and confess any sin against Him (see verses 7-12). In his loving grace through the shed blood of Jesus, He is ready to forgive. This can be a comforting prayer for you.

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