I’ve probably shared with you that in my ministry career I’ve officiated way more funerals than I have officiated weddings. I’ve learned a lot about death and how we bury and grieve our loved ones. Grief is weird. It makes people do weird stuff and either act out of character or show their true character.
The way people react to loss can be so unpredictable, yet deeply revealing.
Grief can bring people together or push them to behave in ways that seem self-centered. Those dynamics can really shift the atmosphere around loss.
My experiences officiating funerals and walking alongside those who are grieving has undoubtedly equipped me with a unique ministry of comfort and sympathy, that I pray is reflective of God’s own heart for His people in their time of need.
Amid our pain and loss, the Bible promises that God Himself will comfort us.
In the Beatitudes, Jesus speaks to those who are experiencing sorrow, offering assurance and profound hope.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 NIV
Grief is a natural process and an integral part of the human experience.
Grief reveals the depths of our hearts, sometimes showing aspects of our character that are often hidden until we experience great loss. In these moments of vulnerability the true nature of our faith, character, and resilience is revealed.
Loving those who grieve means we share the compassion, understanding, and hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15 NIV
How have you experienced grief? Do you know someone who made the loss of a loved one all about them? How did you respond?
I look forward to reading your answers in the comments below.
Until my next post…
God is good. All the time.
No matter what.
Know you are loved.
Praying for you. Praying for America.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
#JesusStrong
The Devotional Guy™ 
Thank you for sharing what you are going through. Losing those we love is hard. Grief is weird, especially when I am ministering to others through their grief while I am experiencing my own. It requires a lot of grace, compassion, and patience. It demands forgiveness because in the moment our thinking can be clouded and unclear. Our emotions run amok, running the scale from high to low, hot to cold. It’s good to smile at good memories. It’s good to recall the things that brought us joy in those moments we spent with someone. And in the process, loosen the grip on those things we cannot change. Condolences on your loss and comfort in your grief. Remember, we can trust God with all of it. We don’t have to go it alone. Thanks for reading and sharing your experiences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When Cin died, I think I went through most of the steps. Sadness, Anger, etc.. I have reached the Acceptance stage since I have no choice. Sometimes, Memories hit, hard but I smile at the good ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry my friend. I think all we can do is keep our eyes centered on Christ when we encounter these seasons. They sound like pretty rough patches. Praying they will come to a close and that the Spirit will usher in a new season of redemption and restoration. You will never be the same, but undoubtedly God can make something new and beautiful out of the brokenness of our lives. Thanks for reading and sharing your experiences, Andrea. Praying for God’s comfort, guidance, and deliverance.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these additional insights, Linda. It is super helpful as we grieve to sit in God’s comfort. He’s there for us through the storm. Thanks for reading and sharing!
LikeLike
Thank you for reading, Susan. Heaven has been a topic of conversation in different circles I’ve been in lately. I may do a series of posts on it because I have some thoughts. Yes, it is comforting to know our loved ones are in God’s presence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This season has been rough. MIL passed recently and travel has been hard to navigate but we made it there except for one son. He’s being deployed to middle east. Then we found out former foster DD was shot in a DV incident and is in hospital. Sad story. No longer in a place to help much. Hard to watch. Some other stuff going and just 2 years ago my last parent died. I thought things would go differently. Still grieving that at times. Trying to carry on but really struggling at times. Seeking God’s guidance to stay strong. Not sure how.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“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 afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God…” 2 Cor. 1:3-4
To Comfort~parakaleo~ to call to one’s side, call for, summon
~to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.
I recently learned how God’s comfort is so much more comprehensive than I have ever considered. It gives me a new perspective on his exhortation, entreaty, instruction, etc… and it revolutionizes the way I may comfort others.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for reading. I’m glad that this post resonated with you, Susan.
LikeLike
I think of Heaven often. When more of your loved ones are there, it makes Heaven more real. Sometimes, I feel that they are close. Beautiful post.
LikeLiked by 1 person