Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 18, 2015
So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 1 Samuel 30:4
Tears of grief transcend our normal emotions, for they come from deep within our heart and can erupt in uncontrollable sobbing. Tears of grief are given to us by God to express our larger-than-life losses. In the Lord’s mercy, He allows us to weep. Tears of grief can flush out our fears and foster our faith, as they represent a cleansing process. Tears stream down our face and cloud our eyes, but we see Christ when they subside. We see Him as our comfort and caregiver. We may have been caregivers, but now we need a caregiver.
In our loss, we need the Lord. We need the comfort of Christ to wipe away our tears and replace them with His hope. God shows up in our tears of grief through sympathy and soul care. Our tears of grief elicit our Savior’s tender touch. What you have lost you may not get back soon. It is gone, and its destiny is in God’s hands, but do not lose hope; heaven wants to help. God is not passively dispassionate about your despair; He cares.
Your loss may be that of a loved one who voluntarily disassociated herself from your family. She grew tired of your influence and authority and wanted to see the world for herself. Her departure may have been sudden and unexpected. You weep because you wonder if she will ever come back the same. Pray that Christ will change her on that journey to find herself. Pray she finds Him and embraces the good values you have instilled in her character. God will use your tears to keep her heart tender for Him. Present your tears of grief as a humble offering to Him.
Your loss may be material. The perceived value of these personal treasures is contingent on your capacity to remember. Your photos may still be framed in your mind’s eye, though now absent from their frames. Thank God you still have the ability to remember, as memories are His gifts to be cherished and celebrated. Do not allow the physical loss to rob you of their emotional significance. Moreover, do not focus on fleeting financial losses. Money-motivated living makes for a roller coaster ride of uncertainty. Your grief will never subside if it depends on dollars.
Lastly, let the Lord and others love you through your tears of grief. God grieves with you. He gave His Son; He understands loss. Jesus weeps when you weep; so you are not alone in your pain and suffering. Tears are a liquid bridge to the Lord; they are a float of faith down the river of God’s will. Grief is meant to lead you to the Lord. Therefore, receive the warm embrace of your heavenly Father and invite His children to pray and care for you. When your tears subside, stay at the side of your Savior, Jesus. Your weeping has washed your soul for service, and now you can tenderly engage with others in their tears.
Use grief to leverage your life for the Lord. The Bible says, “…we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4b).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I receive Your comfort as my heart weeps over a great loss. Fill the hole in my heart with Your grace and love.
Application: Who needs my comfort and concern as they suffer in grief?
Post/Tweet this today: Our tears are a bridge of liquid love to the Lord’s heart. #tearsofgrief #wisdomhunters
Worship Resource: 3 minute video- Lauren Daigle: In Christ Alone
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