At times in life, we truly don’t understand why we must be brought to such unanticipated suffering and loss, but God knows exactly what kind of sacrifice and loss is needed. Even when it doesn’t feel right to us or doesn’t quite sit well in our human hearts, He knows his children, and what they need is not always favored to what we want. This is solely why (Proverbs 3:5-6) can be such a comforting command that can bring so much peace to the heart.
This ride through grief is not the smoothest one a person takes. I can vouch for that alone. I have experienced it firsthand, and it was not easy. The process of grief, whether that be from a child, miscarriage, friendship, or loved one, can affect differently to each person. I can honestly say during my time of grief, I most definitely experienced the “process of grief,” the denial, the confusion, bargaining, and then sadness to acceptance. Still, to this day, I have to remind myself every so often that God’s grace is sufficient for me! (2 Corinthians 12:9).
At times, I would remind myself that there is light and hope at the end of all the despair. I think of the love of God sending His one and only son as a sacrifice to have a relationship with his people for eternity and the promise that he will never leave or forsake us. In John 16:33, Jesus says there will be troubles in the world that we may face. But despite what we may go through in this earthly life, it can not overtake what was done at the cross.
“I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more. “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.” (Isaiah 65:19-20).
We can be reminded of the resurrection of Jesus, which cannot be miscarried, unlike the earth side of things, which may come and go, but God’s word remains. I have been strengthened and comforted in knowing this and truly believing it.
We get to experience the glory of God right in the center of the difficult things and through the great things. But I have learned to see the beauty and faithfulness of the Lord in the midst of the dark valleys. I recall myself going through the emotions while in grief, but I was reminded of the words from Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth: “Anything that makes you need God is a blessing.” However, in all honesty, it’s hard to see things in that manner during the circumstance, but with prayer, many cried out tears, taking everything to the feet of the Lord humbly. It is through Him there is true peace that passes all understanding. You learn to rejoice even when you don’t feel like it.
When you see the work of the Lord, his grace, his faithfulness, and the tentativeness of answered prayers, even just getting you through a difficult season, it’s such an indescribable feeling that only one understands if experienced. There is an overabundance of thankfulness and gratitude. The eyes and heart change into a posture of thanksgiving. There is no more need to stay in the slump of despair, but be confident in the work of Christ Jesus.
As much as the enemy would try to convince us to think that there is no hope, the God who is omnipresent and compassionate is right there, ready to lift you back up. In this life, we will face troubles, just as Jesus said, but it truly matters who and what our foundation is built on. We can’t expect to be secure, have true peace, or be put together if we are just going about life, winging it as it comes. If we did this, we would soon learn that it is unwise.
I tend to think about the song written by Cody Carnes, “Firm Foundation- (He Won’t).” The lyrics speak so much about who and what we are planted on as believers.
These words follow: “Christ is my firm foundation. The rock on which I stand. When everything around me is shaking, I’ve never been more glad. I’ve put my faith in Jesus. He’s never let me down. He’s faithful through generations, So why would he fail now?” Such uplifting true promises in this song we can reflect on (Matthew 7:25)
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.” Solid truths are displayed when one’s life is secured and rooted in the work of Jesus himself.
“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”
(Isaiah 28:16) God has given us his one and only son and his word as the blueprint to guide us through life, not alone but with him.
When grounded on something secure (Christ), it won’t fail. It may take time, endless prayers, grace, and even fasting to bring clarity. But the point is God is faithful. When we look back at what he has brought, peace and overcoming that grief can turn into a heart of thanksgiving, gratitude, and praise.
It doesn’t stop there! We can truly rejoice not only in the answered prayers, but in the truth. It’s not exactly what makes us feel good or what brings comfort to our ears. It’s a grateful stance of, “I’m okay even though I’m in the pit of a hard season.”
