What do you think of when you hear the word hope? Hope is powerful. It is a necessity, right next to food and water. Hope that comes from the Lord and from knowing Him is life changing. In fact, Hebrews 6:19 tells us that the hope the Lord gives us is an anchor for our souls. It is firm and secure. Meaning, it is powerful enough to hold us steady when the wind and the waves of grief and trouble beat against us. Have you experienced this kind of hope in your own life?
Grief is one of those feelings that most come to know at some point. Feelings are not bad. They come from the very same God who created us. And grief, well, I am no stranger to that. Having suddenly lost my husband and then losing a close friend not long after, I have felt the waves of grief crash against me repeatedly, threatening to steal my peace. In those moments when I am overwhelmed, I still have hope.
To know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to have unshakeable hope that acts as an anchor in times of difficulty, trouble, and grief. First Thessalonians 4:13-14 says, And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died (NLT).
Grief is not a bad thing. It is evidence that we loved deeply. Focusing entirely on our grief and what or whom we have lost and letting it overtake us is not wise. Choosing not to bring that grief and sorrow to the Lord affects us negatively. This is why the Bible tells us not to grieve like someone who has no hope. So, what does it look like to grieve like someone who does have hope?
Grieving with hope doesn’t mean avoiding grief or pain or holding back tears, but allowing those moments to come and coping with them in a healthy way. When those waves of grief and sorrow threaten to overtake you, grieving with hope is recognizing the nearness of God in those moments, coming to Him alone for comfort. It is holding onto who God says He is and what He has promised. It is allowing yourself to be anchored in the truth that even though grieving the loss of someone you love is difficult, God holds you in the palm of His hand. He will not let go. It is finding hope in the truth that death is not the end for those who believe. They are not only part of your past, but also part of your future.
The Bible tells us that those who hope in and trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (see Isaiah 40:31).
In moments of grief, I pray you will look to the One who holds you in the palm of His hand and loves you far more than you could imagine. I pray you refuse to let grief overtake you and you allow the Lord to comfort you and strengthen you. I pray you do not grieve as the world grieves, but you choose to grieve as one who has hope in Jesus. I pray you allow the light and hope He has given you to shine brightly in this dark world and light the path for those who are looking for the way home and the comforting arms of Jesus.
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Scripture is quoted 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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