Bible Study Series: Dealing With Grief

 DEALING WITH GRIEF

 

GRIEF IS NORMAL

Millions of people around the world have died as a result of Covid 19.

All of us will or have experienced the loss of family members or friends

At some point in our lives.  The normal human emotion to the loss of

A loved one is grief. All of us experience grief in different ways and at

Different times.  Grief is the emotional suffering at the loss of someone

Or something. It is deep distress or sorrow.

 

GRIEF EXAMPLES IN THE BIBLE

Throughout the Bible God has presented us with people who have

Experienced grief.

 

People react and respond to grief in different ways.

 

Isaac and Rebekah grieved because of the actions of their son

Genesis 26:34-35

34 When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

 

The mother of Samson grieved because she could not conceive a child.

1 Samuel 1:15-17

"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

 

Sometimes people are grieved by what they know

Ecclesiastes 1:18

18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;

the more knowledge, the more grief.

NIV

 

People grieve at the loss of loved ones.

Genesis 38:12

12 After a long time Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him.

 

The disciples grieved when Jesus told them that He would be crucified

Matthew 17:22-23

"The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.

 

 

Even God experiences grief when we are disobedient to Him.

Ephesians 4:30

 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

 

My main point is your grief is normal. The key is to know that God knows your grief and is with you.

John 16:22-23

Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

 

God will make a way for your recovery

 

REASONS FOR GRIEF

People grieve for many reasons. Here are a few:

1.     A divorce or relationship breakup

2.     Loss of health

3.     Losing a job

4.     A miscarriage

5.     Death of a pet

6.     Illness

7.     Loss of safety after trauma.

8.     Moving to a new city

9.     The loss of a loved one.

 

REACTIONS TO GRIEF

Some normal reactions to grief are;

     Anger

     Anxiety

     Crying spells

     Depression

     Fatigue, lack of energy

     Guilt

     Loneliness

     Pain

     Sadness

     Trouble sleeping

 

BE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE

We should never minimize someone’s grief.  We should learn to recognize

When someone is grieving and be there to support them.

 

Don’t try to fit someone's grief into your way of thinking. Their grief is

Unique to them.

 

Some cope with grief by ignoring the pain

Some people are emotionally stronger and not deeply affected

Some people express their grief by crying

Some people eternalize their grief without any outward signs.

Some people get through the grieving period faster than others.

 

RECOVERING FROM GRIEF

The grief and lost website helpguide.org give some suggestions on

How to cope during the grieving process.

1.     Acknowledge your pain

Say it out loud

Call on the Lord

2.     Accept that grief can trigger many different and unexpected emotions.

3.     Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you.

4.     Seek out face to face support from people who care about you.

5.     Support yourself emotionally by taking care of yourself physically

6.     Recognize the difference between grief and depression.

7.     Plan a distraction

8.     Start a new tradition

9.     Make a donation in the name of the lost loved one,

10.  Pray

 

STAGES OF GRIEF

According to the same website, there are five stages of grief.

1.     Denial:  This can’t be happening to me.

2.     Anger:  Why is this happening?  Who is the blame

Mary and Martha blamed Jesus for Lazarus' death.

Lord If you had been here, he would not have died

3.     Bargaining: Lord make this happen and I will be alright.

Jacob on his way to find a wife made a vow to God

That if He would protect and provide for him, that he

Would serve and give a tenth all he earned to the Lord

4.     Depression: I and too sad to do anything.

Some people seem to be stuck where they are and accept

Satan lies that any effort is useless.

5.     Acceptance: Be at peace with what has happened.

Accept the fact that God knows best,

 

GRIEF GOD’S WAY

As Christians, we must find a way to refocus on the Word of God.

It may be very difficult to believe God is with us when we are

Grieving.

 

It may be hard to let go of our pain and let God control our emotions.

Yet the truth is God is with us always through all things.

That is easy to say than to put into practice.

 

But when faith takes charge of our minds, we will be drawn back to

His great love.

Lamentations 3:32

 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,

so great is his unfailing love.

 

The Lord has such compassion for us that He makes all

Promises to our wellbeing.

 

 

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

 

Before you got into your grieving situation, God was already there

Directing your way.

 

In the case of the loss of a loved one, we must remember the Words

Of our Lord:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

 

In the case of sudden death or accident ,there can be tremendous

Financial burdens.  When bills are piling up the grieving process is

Heighten and can be prolonged.

 

How do you handle the additional financial burden?

That is when you have rely on your faith and put the

Finances in God's hands.

Matthew 7:7-8

7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Your recovery is based on your efforts.

You have to ask before God will give. You have knock before God opens the door

You have to seek before God puts what you need to be found.

 

John 16:23-24

23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Again ask, then God gives

 

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Prayer is a key tool to your recovery.

 

All of this may be hard to believe when you are grieving.

You have a choice.  You going to believe something.

You can believe in gloom and doom, or you can believe that

God is going to make good out of your grief.

 

Believe in the good of the Lord rather than the lies of the devil.

 

 

YOUR GRIEF IS NORMAL

 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

 

GOD IS WAITING ON YOU TO ASK FOR HIS HELP

 

YOU WILL RECOVER

 

Rev. M. Mitchell