Word for the day “Grief is a process”

Lamentations (KJV) 3:21 This I recall to my mind; Therefore, I have hope. 22 Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

 WE MUST EMBRACE THE PROCESS OF GRIEF SO WE CAN FIND HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE.

Grief is the process that helps you release your pain and trepidation to the Lord. In your grief, you come to terms with your past and you find a release to live in the reality of the present. In fact, on the other side of grief, you can find hope for the future. Although this is easier said than done, it is a viable option of handling our life’s most precious moments. Although the process of grief is life-changing, if you don’t give yourself permission to grieve, you’re likely to cause greater emotional and spiritual harm to your life and future.

Please consider, the prophet and leader Jeremiah and how he shared his grief, pain, and tears with the Lord. Jeremiah lived with God’s people and pleaded with them to return to God. But the prophet’s warnings and alerts fell on deaf ears, and his heart was broken greatly. In fact, it was in his grief, the prophet wrote the words of today’s passage in the Old Testament book, Lamentations. When you read it, you’ll read how Jeremiah shared the intimate details of his broken heart and grief to the Lord. He weeps openly and passionately, releasing his emotions to God. It’s a powerful illustration for us to embrace when we are confronted with our time to mourn and grieve.

THE PROCESS OF GRIEF IS ESSENTIAL AND CAN VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON.

Many people think of grief as a single instance or short time of pain or sadness in response to a loss – as the tears shed at a loved one’s funeral. But grieving includes the entire emotional process of coping with a loss, and it can last a long time. Normal grieving allows us to let a loved one go and keep on living in a healthy way. Grieving involves many different emotions, actions, and expressions, all of which help the person to come to terms with the loss of a loved one.

 But keep in mind, that grief doesn’t look the same for everyone. And, every loss is different. Grieving is painful, and it’s important that those who have suffered a loss be allowed to express their grief. It’s also important that they are supported throughout the process. Each person grieves differently. The length and intensity of the emotions people go through can vary from person to person.

 THE LORD CAN HANDLE OUR TIME OF GRIEF AND WILL EMPOWER YOU FOR THE FUTURE.

Lamentations will not provide an easy answer for the suffering you’ll experience in the process of grief. Please read it for yourself, but you’ll discover that it’s all right to be real, to be angry, to be disappointed with life, and to be concerned about what tomorrow holds for you.

God accepted Jeremiah as being angry, tired, and discouraged, and he will accept you as well. Just as God honored the tears of Jeremiah, the Lord will honor and heal yours if you share your pain and sorrow with Him. It’s likely to be the first step to bring healing for the present and hope for the future concurrently.

POINT TO PONDER

The process of grief is real and necessary. It’s common for grief to take a year or even longer to resolve the emotional and life changes that come with the death of a loved one. The pain may become less intense, but it’s normal to feel emotionally involved with the deceased for many years.

In time, the person should be able to reclaim the emotional and spiritual empowerment that was invested in the relationship with the deceased and use it in other relationships. If anyone reading today’s message is in a season of grief at this time, please know we are praying and thinking of you here at Grace and Truth leadership. We just wanted to affirm some and remind others; the Lord is faithful!

 Special thanks!

 James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of September 2022, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott,  Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant,  Ms. Judith Battle, Ms. Angela Battle, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson,  Mrs. Shakeema Lowe, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Angela Harrison,  Ms. Crystal Grant, Ms. Shawna Chester, Ms. Jennifer Sanchez,  Ms. Judy Hendrix, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, Mr. William Wilson, Mr. William Buchanan, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.

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Kingdom Blessings,