Sometimes grief hits in moments unexpected! Have you ever “tried to hold in”, “hold back” the tears, the ache or even avoid the pain?
Losing someone you love isn’t easy. Grief is a process and as hard as it can be, if we want to grieve healthy we have to allow ourselves to mourn. The other day when I was having one of those moments, I so clearly heard to read the following chapter. I highlighted the verses that spoke to me the most while my heart is in the midst of mourning.
Psalms 42.
The first verse is familiar to most.
V.1 As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, So my [a]soul pants [longingly] for You, O God…..”
V. 3 “My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
V.5 “Why are you in despair, O my soul?And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.”
V.6 “O my God, my soul is in despair within me [the burden more than I can bear];….”
V.8 “Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song will be with me, A prayer to the God of my life”
V.9 “ I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
V.11 “Why are you in despair, O my soul?Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God”
Have you ever wept so deeply that you asked yourself these question? Wondering, am I alone in this pain? Feeling overwhelmed by the emotions of loss? You are not alone. These passages are a reminder of Gods goodness in the midst of pain and loss. There’s nothing wrong with bringing our tears, pain and grief to Him. He understands it all too well.
When it speaks of His “loving kindness” in Hebrew the word “lovingkindness” is checed, which literally means “covenant loyalty.” He is loyal to us.
We can expect Him to comfort us and when our Hope is anchored in Him even during the painful process we can trust He will be there to help us through it. He is ever present, He is faithful in the midst of our pain. When our grief overwhelms our souls, minds and emotions we can lean into His loving arms and allow Him to Heal our broken hearts.
Out of the Ashes 