Grief

Behold, the Behemoths of Life

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

After scripture tells us about Job’s horrific losses, we’re told that God comes to him and says, “Look now at the behemoth [the hippopotamus], which I made along with you” (Job 40:15, NKJV) and a little later, “Can you draw out Leviathan [the crocodile] with a hook? Or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?” (Job 41:1).

Why would God include these two massive monsters in his revelation to Job? Why would God have Job look into the faces of a hippopotamus and a crocodile?

Growing into Grace-Givers

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

God can and does use angels to minister to people, but he mostly uses his own caring children to dispense his grace. This is one reason we’re made partakers of his grace, to become channels of it. We are meant to dispense it to others. I call this “people grace.”

Burdened With Heavy Grief

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

Nothing stirs the heart of our God more than the soul that is overcome with grief. Grief is defined as “deep sorrow” or “sadness caused by extreme distress.” Isaiah tells us the Lord himself is acquainted with this most wrenching emotion: “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

When We Lose a Child

Submitted by arusso on Thu, 10/15/2020 - 15:30

Out of respect for the many families and individuals who observed Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day on October 15th, we want to acknowledge the grief and long journey of parents who have had a little one pass away. As parents labor through grief and heavy questions toward trust in God, they should know that they’re not alone.

God’s Purpose in Our Grief

And Jesus’ Glory Through It!

What happens to our soul when we experience deep, personal grief? What role does grief have in our walk with Jesus? In one brief passage, Peter explains it all. “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV).

Grief, Loss and Death at Christmastime

Rachel Chimits

While this time of year is traditionally considered to be one of great joy, it also can be the one where the broken pieces of our hearts and lives most clearly show up.

My uncle, my father’s baby brother, died suddenly before the holidays.

At 28 years old, he had moved back in with the family and was working his way through some personal issues, when a complication with a hereditary illness caused his heart to stop one night.

Loss, Pain and the Healing Power of Music

When we go through heartache and crisis, God has many different ways to reach us. He may use loving relationships, the beauty of nature or even our work. Whatever that unique space is, he can use it to show us his goodness and glory in the darkest places of our lives. Music is how he reached our guest this week, long-time Christian musician Matthew Ward, after he tragically lost two of the closest people in his life. Life can be incredibly painful at times, but God is always near to his children, and he wants to show us how he will heal and transform our grief into something glorious. As we grapple with pain, we must always know that we can go to God and he will never turn us away.

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