Previous posts in this Grieving with God series:
1 – Suffering
2 – Choosing Joy
3 – Jesus Wept
4 – Walking with God through Suffering
5 – God is Strong. God is Loving

Thinking more on emotions today and how Jesus wept…

It is not accurate to say that believers shouldn’t grieve deeply. In fact, it is often God’s Spirit in us who is mourning when sorrow rolls in. He mourns with those who mourn. And many times His mourning is a beckoning – a holy invitation to go to Him. That feeling of longing that loss and sadness gives us…. is important to not ignore.

He IS the Father of all compassion and God of all comfort. There’s an entire book in His Word called Lamentations. So when Paul says, “don’t grieve as those without hope” — he is not saying do not grieve. He is saying grieve differently. Carry your grief right to the throne and let the Lord to minister you – filling you with LOVE and comfort and hope.

Grief is not an unwelcome visitor to be pushed away or scared of. It is not something we have to hide in shame. We were made to sorrow both in solitude with the Lord AND with others.

So in times of sorrow, let yourself feel whatever you have to. Don’t rush to try to fix or numb any feelings that the world labels as “downers”. These deep places of sorrow can be holy places where we become more like Christ.

Less stoic.
Less cynical and cold.
Less emotionally shamed.
More tender.
More compassionate.
More courageous to face the harsh realities of this life and not deny them.

When we harden ourselves too much too often – we also close ourselves off to deep joy, LOVE, and connection. And amazingly enough, even thankfulness at the love we have experienced that is making us feel the sorrows.

Grief is part of the cross we are called to carry on this earth. We do not have to fear it. We mourn with those who mourn, and in doing so – we are choosing Joy – which, as we have seen, is really just choosing to turn to Jesus and rely on and trust in Him.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
This doesn’t mean grief is short-lived. It means grief can lead us to the place where joy rises again.

So for those carrying a cross of sorrow. Make sure you’re going to the Lord when He is beckoning—and also seeking out a few sacred places of community where you can truly share the burden.