TRUTHFUL THURSDAY

 Before I had a personal relationship with Jesus, I would hold in feelings of sorrow over painful events because the emotions were so overwhelming that I chose not to face them. I thought the best thing to do was to bury my emotions and get on with the practical duties of living. I dodged the pain because I was afraid of despair. Then a good friend of mine died and I could not bury my emotions, I was devastated. If you have lost a loved one to death, you know that it is a painful experience. I did not want to hear he was in a better place. My friend was gone. How could God take someone so good? I remember one night walking the floor and talking to God. I was angry. I wanted answers. I cried and I let God know exactly how I felt. I did not get answers then, but I did feel better afterwards and at the time I thought it was because I had given God a “piece of my mind”. I know now I felt better because God had given me something, comfort. After coming to know the Lord and the truth of His Word, I know that when we feel pure sorrow it does not mean we have lost faith. God does not get mad when we ask questions. Look at Job, not only did God not punish him, he blessed him double. Sorrow is an emotion, not a sin. As I said, before I knew Jesus I would hold my pain of loss in because I was afraid of despair, without the Lord, there is only despair. Despair means no hope. In 2 Cor. 4:8, the Apostle Paul writes, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” He never claimed he was not sad, only that he was not despairing, not losing hope. There is nothing wrong with pure sorrow over the pain of suffering or loss. Sorrow must be allowed to take its course. Sorrow is inevitable; but unlike despair, there is hope. Because there is always comfort, in time, and the grace to go on. I know God is good and everything good comes from Him. I also know that He is in control, and nothing surprises Him. When bad things happen, I still have questions. Why does God allow bad things to happen? I don’t know. What I do know is I rather trust God and have Him with me than live in this cruel world without Him. I know I could not bear it. Nothing in life can prepare us for the death of a loved one. Whether death results from a sudden accident, a sustained illness, whether they slip away peacefully while sleeping, or a terrible horrific tragedy, it will always catch us off-guard. Death is so deeply personal and so final; nothing can emotionally prepare us for its arrival. With every death, there is a loss, and with every loss, there will be grief. No one likes to think or talk about death. I’m at a place where the thought of death does not scare me anymore, because I know Jesus dying defeated death. I have eternal life. However, I still grieve when I suffer loss. This is heavy on my mind because a sister of mine is dealing with sorrow and grief. My heart aches for her. She too has questions. She is not sure what to believe or who to trust, even God. Her feelings are real and to simply dismiss them and say take it to God or God does not make mistakes, is not enough for her right now. I understand. I say to her take one day at a time, and if need be one breathe at a time; I pray to God that he comforts her and give her peace. Everyone grieves differently, and no one can set a time limit on another person’s grief. If anyone is grieving right now, please read the scriptures in “FOOD FOR THE SOUL” I pray that God’s Words will comfort you. Much Love…