Today’s post on grief and dealing with it from a Biblical foundation comes from the book of Job… chapters 1 and 2. Click here for part 1.
When Family And Life Fall Apart
Job 1:13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Thought 1: God is in control of all things… even Satan in the day of adversity (Job 1:9-12). Thus Satan can only do what accomplishes the opposite of what he intends. In other words, God uses Satan to work His (God’s) will for His glory in the life of His children!
Thought 2: There are times tragedies happen and they are NOT a punishment from God for evil or sin (This was Job’s case). Just because an event takes place for which I grieve does not mean I am being chastized.
Thought 3: Profound expressions of grief are proper, right, and acceptable. It is not a shame to weep and grieve openly and in what some may consider an extreme manner.
Thought 4: It is sound theology to submit to God in difficult times as sovereign over all things. It is right to worship God while in difficult times.
Personal Application 1: When tragedies come into my life, in whatever form or to whatever degree, it is good to remember that God is still on His throne.
Personal Application 2: When I am hurting, it is okay to grieve and weep… openly and deeply. It is nothing to be ashamed of.
Personal Application 3: Submission to God as God over all is proper… regardless of the circumstances. This confession gives great peace in Christ.
This is so true, and God can help a person heal from their grief. Praying aloud and writing down prayers in a journal from can be so great. Also having other like-minded Christian brothers and sisters help out is great (you just don’t want your friends to be like Job’s friends).
Kim Carolan