[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Dealing with grief

Read: John 11:1-37 

Meditation verse: 

“Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not  have died.” (John 11:21).

Part of being human is facing difficulties. Sometimes these difficulties are swift  and severe. Other times they can be an accumulation of small events. Failed  businesses, failed relationships, financial difficulties, death, loss, or separation.  Life is happening every day, affecting our mental health in various ways and  leaving us drained emotionally. 

The untimely death of a loved one is one of the deadliest blows that life can  throw at any time, and this can alter our lives in more ways than one. Death is  no respecter of persons, whether it is the loss of a spouse, parent, sibling, friend,  or an unborn child. The pain can become extreme and leave you numb. It can  cause you to withdraw into a shell or to lash out at others and apportion blames.  You may even begin to question God’s love for you or His existence. 

In today’s reading, Mary and Martha were overwhelmed with grief as they  struggled to deal with the demise of their beloved brother and the reality of  Jesus’ “abandonment” in their hour of need. Jesus had failed to show up when  they pleaded with Him to come heal their brother and Lazarus died before Jesus  arrived their home. It was a known fact that Jesus loved Lazarus. In fact, all three  siblings were close to the Master, He had visited them, and they had personally attended to Him, why then did He let their brother die? 

Are you grieving today or struggling with a painful loss? Are you wondering how  God could have allowed it to happen, even though you have faithfully served  Him? He is not responsible for your loss. We live in a fallen world where we are  up against all kinds of evil. When Jesus saw the grief that followed Lazarus’  demise, He groaned in the spirit and wept. Similarly, He sees your pain now and  He is full of compassion for you. Your time of grief will not go on forever. Your  harvest of rejoicing is coming. God can give you beauty for ashes. “Weeping may  endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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