What is Grief?

Meditate on the emotion of grief over the loss of someone or something you hold dear.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

 Deuteronomy 31:6

For the last couple of years I’ve been noticing that there are a lot of people who are afraid to die. Even some Christian people who are assured of an afterlife in the glories of heaven aren’t looking forward to death. That is why I embarked on this journey to look at death, fear, and dying.  Personally, I am looking forward to a great banquet with the King—my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—on that day that I am taken home to Heaven. I am looking forward to walking the streets of gold and seeing this new heaven and new earth that Jesus is preparing for us. I am not in a hurry to go there…certainly wouldn’t do anything to cause that journey to begin any earlier than God has planned…but Jesus told us to be ready

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.  

Luke 12:40   

Ready for what you might ask. Death? Rapture? Prepared, prayed up and ready for Christ’s return to take His church to Heaven? Either way…be prepared. We are given more examples in the Bible of being prepared…being ready.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:8

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21

When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! Luke 12:37

Be ready to go to heaven…but in the meantime…be ready to serve God here on earth.

Are you afraid to die…or afraid to live? Have no fear, but be prepared to know what you can do to help yourself and others dealing with grief—from any loss, whether it is a person, job, home, or something that you treasure. Recognizing the stages of grief maybe helpful. Be aware that these stages don’t always occur in this order, although this is the “normal” sequence, and the steps may repeat. Grief is so variable—depending on the person, their age, gender and the trauma they have been through. It is helpful to most people to have someone to talk to or a group of people, not necessarily at the same time. A minister at our base chapel years ago (my husband was in the Air Force) said that if a person has five friends to confide in then they’ll never need to seek a psychiatrist. Sometimes it is helpful if one of those friends is a pastor. You can always take your cares directly to the Lord in prayer.

Don't be blind to the stages of Grief.

Five Stages of Grief

1. Denial and Isolation
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

Deal with your grief...no fear. You are responsible for your own emotions. You can ask for help...but don't take it out on others.

Prayer ~ Jesus, Thank You for Your promise…"When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14:3. Come quickly Jesus. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4  

Verse of Salvation ~ And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:5

Seek Jesus and the salvation from your sin that He offers by His death on the cross. Don’t wait until it is too late.

© 2020 Text and sketch by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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