Acknowledge Your Grief, Cultivate His Promises and Hope

Recently, I’ve lost some friends to death. I’ve also had friends who have lost loved ones.

Last night, I attended another memorial service. The pastor shared that we were there to acknowledge our grief and to acknowledge our hope.

I like the way he said that.

In the midst of difficult days it is important to do both. It is important to admit our grief and then to acknowledge and cultivate our hope and faith.

We are reminded of both in the Psalms –

I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. Psalms 142:2

I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. Psalms143:5

Meditating on all of God’s works includes meditating on His promises of what is yet to come. For what is to come is better and more glorious. No matter how much we like this world and life (even with all of its’ grief and pain), what God has planned will be more and better than this life.

I have to remind myself of this, because even with all the troubles in this world, I like this world. I like it, because it is what I know. I am familiar with it. When God’s goodness is reflected in it – there is still much that is good. But the new life to come is better.

In the meantime, when the pain in this life is great, we are to verbalize and acknowledge our grief and troubles to God. We are to pour out our needs to Him and turn our problems over to Him.

Then we mustn’t forget God’s goodness, mercy, and great promises.

In light of His promises – what would His comfort, help, and even a miracle look like for your circumstances?

Help us Lord God, to know Your glory, power, and goodness, even more through the daily aspects of our lives.