Ache of Grief

Death...Oh the ache of grief. Today my hike started with two phone calls that knocked me to my knees. Yes, everybody dies. The feelings that we experience are real, powerful, and range from one extreme to another. The cry to the Lord was a low groan. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NIV)

Where does JOY come from death? How does it relate to our blog? Read on – don't give up – God does bring us JOY even in our suffering.

Throughout the day there were many calls to make notifying family of the losses. Yes, double. Our sweet three month old grand-niece died in her sleep of an unknown reason. My wonderful uncle, who had become like a second dad to me after my dad went to heaven, died from multiple medical complications. As I made each call, those I love reacted differently to the news. Their words as they processed their grief helped to open my heart to JOY. We shared the love we had for those lost and began to celebrate the Lord's sovereignty.

Does the pain go away even when we know God is in control? He has slowed my breathing while my chest is still hurting. My legs feel like I'm walking on noodles and my head is fluttery. However, the Lord holds me up so I will not faint. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV) Tears have come randomly all day as I'm sure they have been for our entire family. “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll are they not in your record?” (Psalm 56:8 NIV)

As we have talked, our mourning began to turn to JOY. The Lord opened our eyes to His goodness in ending the suffering my uncle had been enduring for a long time. When I explained to my son why I had been crying so hard, he started beaming. “Mom, that means he gets to be in heaven,” Tre said. Oh, the words of a child. It is wonderful JOY because we believe in heaven. My dad is now holding the hands of his great-granddaughter and hugging his younger brother.

God's word, the Bible, speaks TRUTH that the dead will be raised to meet the Lord. They will no longer be suffering. My uncle's body is no longer weak. He is now able to dance to the Beatles “Here Comes the Sun.” The TRUTH is that even babies like Tirzah are taken up for our bodies are temporary but heaven is eternal.

Do you believe in heaven? When you or your family is faced with a death, how do you handle your grief? God wants you to come to him. He will bring Joy into your suffering. Campus Crusade has helped explain the TRUTH of heaven. I encourage you to cry out to God today.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46 NIV