JANUARY 17 2023 GRIEF

GRIEF DEFINED...

According to the Websters dictionary: "Deep mental anguish, as that arising from bereavement"

grief noun

ˈgrēf

1a: deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement

his grief over his son's death

b: a cause of such suffering

life's joys and griefs

2a: TROUBLE, ANNOYANCE

enough grief for one day

b: annoying or playful criticism

getting grief from his friends

c: an unfortunate outcome : DISASTER —used chiefly in the phrase come to grief

d : MISHAP, MISADVENTURE

Synonyms include: sorrow, sadness, mournfulness, gloom, emptiness

The feeling of grief can often be like the feeling of fear, as observed by C. S. Lewis: "No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.

NOT ALL GRIEF IS WRONG...

Jesus manifested grief when He saw how others were grieved over the loss of a loved one - Jn 11:32-35

Paul wrote of "a continual grief" that he had in his heart - Ro 9:1-2; Ro 10:1

Having grief and expressing it is an important part of overcoming traumatic experiences such as the loss of a loved one

Paul and the Ephesian elders expressed their grief as they bid him a sad farewell - Ac 20:36-38

GRIEF CAN BECOME A PROBLEM...

When it makes one useless for any service

example when one's grief sends them into extended isolation

example when one's grief makes them unable to comfort others in their grief

When it begins to produce a psychosomatic illness

Many physical illnesses are either caused or made worse by emotional distress

Grief is certainly one kind of emotional distress that can take its toll on the body

So while there is a place for grief in the life and heart of a Christian, it is imperative that grief not take control of our lives. With the help of faith in Jesus, that need not happen.

FAITH IN JESUS HELPS US TO OVERCOME GRIEF

JESUS PROVIDES COMFORT TO THE GRIEVING SOUL...

As previously noted, Jesus certainly understands our grief

While in the flesh, he experienced grief - Jn 11:35

Indeed, he became flesh to be better suited to come to our aid - He 2:17-18

He therefore taught His disciples how to find comfort when troubled

To believe in Him - Jn 14:1-3

To keep His commandments, that we might abide in his love - Jn 15:10-11

To pray, that we may have joy and peace - Jn 16:24,33; Php 4:6-7

He also provides comfort with the promise of our resurrection - 1Th 4:13-17

JESUS PROVIDES A FAMILY TO HELP BEAR OUR GRIEF...

Those who believe in Jesus and do His will are part of a family - Mt 12:46-50

That family is the family of God, the church - 1Ti 3:15; 1Ti 5:1-2

In we have "a hundredfold" brothers, sisters, mothers. - Mk 10:29-30

In we are like a family, we can bear one another's grief

By weeping with those who weep - Ro 12:15

By sharing in each other's sufferings - 1Co 12:25-26

By comforting one another with the comfort we each receive from God - 2Co 1:3-5

Sadly, many do not take advantage of this blessing of a family

1example, those who think they can get what they need watching religious programs

2example, those who may "belong to a church", but never become involved

-- And so when their grief comes, they must often bear it alone

CONCLUSION

Jesus certainly did not want for us to bear our grief alone...

He taught us how to have lasting joy and peace, even in the middle a time of grief

He died and rose from the dead, that our grief even in death might be temporary

He now intercedes as our High Priest, to comfort us in our times of grief

He built His church to be a family, so we can receive comfort in times of grief

For one to enjoy such blessings, it requires faith in Jesus...

Faith in Jesus to believe, what he teaches us in the holy scriptures.

Faith in Jesus to believe, what he did.

Faith in Jesus to obey what he commanded, that we can abide in his love.

Faith in Jesus to become an eternal part of his "church family"

So if we wish to overcome grief through Jesus Christ, then "Faith Is The Victory!"

Heb 11:1

HEAR Romans 10:17

BELIEVE In God the father, Jesus the son, and the holy spirit.

REPENT Of your past sins

CONFESS Jesus Christ the son of God

BE BAPTIZED Fully covered in water, buried, and being washed in the blood of Jesus

LIVE FAITHFULLY