By Beth Pinyerd
For the Opelika
Observer
Every year when Sept. 11 is remembered, I am reminded of how families had to experience the sudden loss of loved ones. Even if the loss of a loved one is sudden or long term, we human beings cannot depend on the strength of human nature alone to see us through.
We have to depend on God, our Heavenly Father who made us and gave us life. He provides direction, encouragement and peace in His Word, the Bible. Readers, this article is straight from my heart and is designed to help those who have had loss as well as to equip people to understand weeping, worship and witness. Life experiences are the best teachers.
Weeping: Mourning is different for each person. In Psalm 6:6-7, the shepherd David describes grief by saying, “I am worn out from sobbing. All night, I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief.” In the grief tunnel, you may feel like you are losing your mind, but what you are going through and experiencing is a normal part of grieving. God is there with you in your deep, unimaginable hurt, but keep trusting and don’t quit. Don’t apologize for the tears. They are a gift from God to express the extent of our loss and they lead to healing and restoration.
Challenges of grief may be manifested in depression, fatique, anxiety, anger and being overwhelmed. These physical symptoms are normal. It is good for a person to check in with their doctor during the time of grieving because of how it may affect you physically.
Worship: We cannot blame God for our loss. We must trust God to carry us each and every moment of each and every day. We look at Job in the Bible who was a blessed and righteous man of God, but Job lost his wealth, physical health and his children all within one day. How can we worship God in the face of tragedy? We learn from Job’s model that he was confident of the greatness of God as well as the goodness of God. As Job worshipped God, we see in Scripture he tore his robe, shaved his head and tears flowed and stained his face, which are symbols of grief.
In getting through the loss of love ones, we must cling to God who created us. In clinging to God, we must find out everything about God as we walk and talk to him each and every day. God created us to know Him, love Him and have fellowship with Him. Our God is known as “Jehovah Rapha,” which means He is the Lord who restores and heals. God offers us friendship through His son, Jesus, which is practical, down to earth, but shines with Heaven’s Glory.
In worshipping God, the Bible leads us in praising Him. Hebrews 4:13 says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. From this verse, we can worship God, because He is all-knowing and too, we rejoice because He holds our lives in his hands.”
Witness: 1 Corinthians 2:9 says “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
This is so true, as God Himself guides you through the grief journey. When we have lost loved ones, God’s loving and everlasting arms will always be underneath you as you experience pain. I can witness to that as daily as I have often told God “I need your help.”
His love is truly a comfort blanket which has sustained me with security, peace and hope. God’s wisdom has guided me each and every day and will continue to.