It is inevitable that there will be times we are confronted with disappointment, loss and emotional pain . It is just part of life. Fortunately our Lord is very aware of our griefs and sorrows and He has provided a way to deal with them.
Isaiah 41:10
10 Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
A while back, a friend and former Pastor of mine wrote a book called "Endings and Beginnings". He wrote it 10 years after his wife passed away ending her long struggle with cancer.
He had a unique way of handling His grief. Instead of stepping back from leading the thousands in his congregation he went to the Word of God.
Isaiah 40:31
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
This was the scripture the Lord gave him. He latched onto it and began to study.
He found that one of the meanings of the word "wait" is to "bind together" or to "gather". So instead of stepping back he found himself in every church service he could, not as a pastor or speaker, but as a member of the Body. Instead of taking a break to mourn he continued in ministry. He gathered together with the Body of Christ and found comfort in the Spirit and in fellowship. The people around him didn't really understand but he found healing for his soul in the Presence of God.
I think there is a lesson for all of us in that example. I have always admired him for his commitment to the Word of God and obedience to the Spirit. In a similar situation I hope I would stay as sensitive to the Spirit and allow Him to direct my path just as the prophet Isaiah said. The Presence of God is the healing balm for us body, soul and spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
God does not want us to go through pain but He made a provision for it because He knew we would. He gave us the Spirit as a comforter and paid the price for our sickness, grief and pain. He gave us peace that passes understanding and, if we allow Him to, He will use our experiences to help others.
One of the most important things to do when we are struggling is to get outside of ourselves and focus on the job that God gave us. Preach the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead. When we give comfort to another we are comforted ourselves. When we pray for someone else to be healed we receive healing ourselves and when we speak to a mountain to be moved in someone else's life we receive mountain moving power in our own life.
Psalms 56:8-9
8 You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
9 When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
Always be confident that God is with you in challenging times. He collects your tears in a bottle and puts them in His book. Seek Him and you will find Him.
If you would like to read about my friend's experience with grief you can find His book:
Endings and Beginnings by Charles Nieman on Amazon.com
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