When You Are in Sorrow

READ: PSALMS 34:18; 73:26; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4

I was young when my grandmother passed away. I loved her, and she loved and cherished me. We had good times together. I valued being with her. She accepted me for who I really was. She cared for me. She was the best grandmother to me.

When she passed, I was in deep sorrow. I was not prepared for her to go. She became ill, but I never thought it could lead to death. When she was gone, I became like a flower that had lost its fragrance. I missed her very much. Joy had turned to sadness, and I grieved for many days.

When someone you love passes away, remember that God did not want to take your joy away. God created everything good, but sin and brokenness came into the world when the first humans chose their will over God’s. While it can be easy to blame God or be bitter toward Him when a loved one dies, know that God grieves with us, and He is going to bring about an end to death. Jesus defeated sin and death when He died on the cross and rose again, and He will return one day to raise us from the dead and crush death underneath His feet forever.

When you are in sorrow, remember that Jesus promises new life. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, nothing can separate us from God, the owner of our souls who loves us deeply (Romans 8:38-39). God’s Spirit holds us, even in death.

When you are sorrowful, you can cherish the memories and moments you and your loved one had together, and you can thank God for how He has blessed you with the life of this person. When you are sorrowful, come to God, and He will comfort you. • Golda Dilema

• How might it be comforting to know that Jesus is with you as you grieve?

• What are some ways you can bring comfort to those who are grieving? (Romans 12:15)

• Death is a terrible thing, but it is not the end. All of Jesus’s followers will be with Him in the happiest, loveliest, and most peaceful place for eternity. He will wipe our tears, and there will be no more suffering (Revelation 21:1-7). How might this truth give you hope?

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. Psalm 71:20-21 (NIV)