Grief

Day 1
Grief:

Most of us would define grief as a state of sadness after a death or extreme loss. One of the things that disappoints me the most about the English language is that we use one simple word to define a multitude of feelings and situations.

Here are a few words that describe grief in scripture: pain of body or mind, sorrow, distress, affliction, heavy, groan (inward unexpressed feeling of sorrow).

1 Peter 2:18-25 (Msg)
The Kind of Life He Lived
18-20You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason. There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.
21-25This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss.They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.

Mark 3:1-6
Healing on the Sabbath
1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

Day 2

Don't let me burst your bubble here, but I want to be honest with you. Being a Christian doesn't mean you are going to be happy all of the time. That doesn't mean you don't have joy in your life or praise and thanksgiving for the salvation that has been given you through grace. I'm not taking that away from you. I'm talking about the idea that we should be walking around in some euphoric state with a big smile on our faces. Being a follower of Christ means to also share in His suffering. I will be honest with you, I am not a big fan of the philosophy that if I am a good enough Christian that only blessings will poor into my life. I feel that teaching such a thing sets up most people for failure in their relationship with Christ.

Scripture says that we are given gifts and we are to use those gifts to further the kindom of God. I also believe that along with your gift God places a desire to love and share the Good News with people. All people. Grief, that is what that heaviness is in your heart. I know many of you have it, I have seen it change your life and the lives of those around you. When something weighs so heavily on you, you have no choice but to step out in faith and act, that is your sorrow. Do you grieve for children, women, addicts, the poor, the sick, the misled? My list could be endless.

It is time to take hold of your grief. No more hiding it. Aknowledge it, pray to God for the strength to step out and be used as His vessels. The fact of the matter is it won't go away, God is calling you. Even though you may not know what to do or how to do it, God knows and He wants you to rely on him for the strength, faith, self-control, patience and multitude of other needs you will have in the process.

Day 3
1Peter 2:21-25 (Msg)
21-25This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss.They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.

Many say that Christ suffered for you. But here scripture says that he suffered so that we may know how, step-by-step. How is this diffrent from what you have been taught, how is it the same? What steps does this scripture refer to?

Matthew 11:28-30
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

This scripture is used often to help Christians through rough times in their lives. Read it again with the idea that this is a step to show us how to suffer. What does it say to you?

Day 4
Promises in Scripture

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ~John 16:20

Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. ~Psalm 119:49-50

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ~Matthew 5:4

Day 5

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.~Ephesians 4:30

Praise God for the great gift He has given you. Confess your fears of steping out of faith. Admit that you know the heaviness placed on your heart. Ask God to show you the step that needs to be taken to be used as a vessel for His Kingdom.

Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for the sorrow you have placed in my heart. I know you have given me the tools and the desire to help those that you love. I have seen what people can do when they become overwhelmed by their sorrow and step out in faith,Lord. Let me be one of those people that can learn from your word and follow you so that your will may be done in this world. ~ In Your Precious Name.