On Grieving

Wednesday, May 3, ‎2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Memory of the Month: John 10:27-28

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Today's reading: 1 KINGS 14-15 LUKE 22:31-46

On Grieving

Any time there is a change in our lives over which we have no control, this brings on a certain type of grieving. It may not last long but there is a time of 'adjustment' to any change. Anything-from someone moving your furniture around to 'surprise you', to losing a loved one.

In Luke 22, Jesus came from prayer and found His disciples asleep 'from grief'(everything was changing-they had no control and did not yet understand). They were exhausted and had gone asleep. Keep in mind that Jesus was sweating blood as he prayed but these guys were just tired.

From sweating drops of blood to sleeping from exhaustion-we all handle grief differently. Jesus wept, (John 11:35)...

Wherever we are in a grieving process, we all need to hear what Jesus said to His men:“Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”(Luke 22:46)

Why did Jesus say 'Get up"? They could have prayed from where they were. Jesus knew that they would fall asleep again. When we are tired from grief our minds do not want to focus. The enemy wants to keep us 'asleep' so we cannot work through whatever it is. So, we must 'get up'-or move in the right direction. We have to latch our focus on God.(The enemy wants to kick us while we are down-we must get up.)

One scripture says 'In your anger, do not sin',(Ephesians 4:26). Anger

is part of grief. We could say, 'in your grief, do not sin'-that is what Jesus was telling His people, was it not?

I have to say that it is not-at-all-easy to grieve. It seems to be the hardest work at times and lasts for a long time for some. Leave it to God to change the unchangeable. The results of an election that millions wanted to go the other way...those millions grieve-call it what you will-it is grieving.

But grieving is part of the abundant life, right? I mean, we experience great loss after we become Christians, don't we? Things like old friends not being friendly-this is a loss. Yes. Part of the abundant life, then, is the abundance of the grace of God to carry us through. Grace that allows us to get up and pray so we will not sin is always at our heart's door.('I stand at the door and knock'-'get up' and answer the door-)James 4:6 ►But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

Everyday, all day long, we must keep getting up and praying to not fall into sin. Guilt from disobedience during grief seems worse-right where the enemy wants us-GET UP! PRAY!

There are times of refreshing(Acts 3:19 ►Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,)

God will restore our souls.(Psalm 23:3)

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for sleeping. Help me to get up and pray and focus on Your power and grace.

Great God of Healing and power!

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen