“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
“Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” John 11:33-36
I met my best friend Kenny when I was 15. My family had moved from Florida to California and I was more than a fish out of water. Kenny helped me adjust to a new school and new friends. I adored him. We were like Forrest Gump and Jenny; like peas and carrots. I was devastated when he died when we were both just 33.
Grief is a human emotion we will all have to face in our lifetime. We can allow our grief to draw us closer to God or can let it derail us from being fully reliant on God.
When we are grieving, it is good to remember that God promised us that everything has a season. Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us that there is a time to mourn and a time to dance. Psalm 30;5 ensures us too that “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Grief does comes to an end.
While we are in the midst of grief, we can be comforted by knowing that even Jesus felt grief. He wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. He knows our pain. We can take comfort in Psalm 91:1-2 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” God is our refuge and our fortress, especially when we are grieving.
Today is Kenny’s birthday. He would have been 57. Today I will honor the memory of my dear friend. I will honor my sense of loss and give it over to God. I know He will comfort me, for me promised me that He cares for me. (1 Peter 5:7) He promised to carry my burdens and give me rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Grief doesn’t have to come between you and God. Allow God to be with you in your season of sorrow. He will see you through until the end of your grieving and He will be with you when you dance and rejoice again.
What are you grieving over today? Know that Jesus too, felt sorrow. He understands what you are feeling. Tell Him. Tell Him everything. Let His love cradle you today.
