Viewing Grief Through the Lens of the Cross

The cross changes things. When grief appears and weighs you down, the cross offers hope through new life in Jesus Christ. Grief reminds us of what we've lost, and the cross reminds us of what we've gained through Jesus. Grief can lead to loneliness and a feeling of being adrift. The cross reminds us that we have access to God Almighty through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He created us and has a purpose for our lives. He is the source of our joy, even when our hearts are breaking. It was in my grief that I experienced His love in such amazing ways. Despite the pain and the hole my husband's death left, I knew that Jesus was there, and He filled me with hope. How precious was that gift when my entire world had been rocked to its core? To know and understand that our Lord understands grief and we are not alone when our hearts are breaking!

When my husband passed, it hurt so bad! My other half was no longer there; he had passed into eternity, and I was still here. Grief stole my strength and made it hard to breathe. Even then, I knew the Lord was with me and He would carry me. When we belong to Christ, He does not abandon us in our grief; instead, He carries us and gives us the strength we need to face whatever is ahead. For me, there were moments where the grief would well up inside of me and spill out in what I can only describe as guttural wails. They were the cries of my heart reaching up toward the only One who could comfort me. The Lord is no stranger to grief or pain. I can't even imagine the pain He endured on the cross; not just physically, but the crushing weight of every sin being placed on Him as He hung on the cross. It is because of Him that I have hope. It is because of Him that all those who put their faith in Him will never die, but have eternal life.

Here are a few scriptures to encourage you on your journey. My prayer for you is that you turn to the One who offers life. May He grant you His peace and the hope that comes from knowing that death has no power over those who believe.

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one- to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:3-6

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Father God,

Please be with my dear friend reading this. May they experience the comfort that comes from being in your presence. Grant them the strength they need in the days ahead, and may their hope come from knowing that you are with them. May they come to you with their grief, and may your love surround them and lift them up. You are a good, good Father, and our hope is in you.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

May the week ahead be filled with God's blessings!