We
all experience times of grief in this sin-filled life. We reap the consequences
of choices that we make, or a choice made by a person of influence over us, and
we suffer a loss. We consider this as unfair; and at times, we even blame God
for allowing these events to occur.
We
grow angry, bitter, skeptical, pessimistic and wary. These attitudes hinder us
from finding our way through our grief and healing our inner wounds, especially
if we hibernate to our self and meditate on the negative experience that
happened to us.
Changing
our focus about the event(s), and finding alternative methods of behavior will
facilitate a quicker resolution. We never forget the grief, but it no longer
hobbles us to the past. Over time, the intensity of the pain can diminish, and
we will recover a little more each day.
Fear
and remorse from the past will cripple our future, but courageously facing our
future will give us the strength to live each current moment with God's Trinity
within us. He has perfect plans for our life, and it makes sense for us to
discover them (Ephesians 2:10).
We
are a person too, and we can ask God to teach us ways to minister to our needs
in the same way that we help others. Serving others brings us joy, as it blesses
them, and it lightens the burdens that we all share.
We
find JOY by serving:
J-esus
O-thers
Y-ourself.
Focusing
on what we lost will only set up a negative spiral of emotions, behavior and
events in our future. However, changing our focus to what we still have, as
well as to what God provides for us each new day, will strengthen us and give
us joy.
Entertaining
positive attitudes give us more peace and energy to face the future, especially
if we serve God with our whole mind, heart, choices and strength (Mark 12:30).
Walking in the center of God's will for us guarantees our success.
Prayer:
Father
God, each day, and especially during times of loss and grief, You always send
ministering "angels" into our life to comfort and fortify our soul.
Remind us that we can find the fortitude we need to climb out of our pit of
despair by reading and meditating on Your Word, fellowshipping with Your Body,
and hearing Your Word preached in classes and sermons.
By
this, we find answers to our questions, hope for our future, and healing from
our past. We find comfort in Your loving presence within us. Our recovery
increases our union and deepens our relationship with Your Spirit who abides
within us. Weeping may plague us during our darkest hours, but Your joy is
always waiting for us in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
Thought
for the Day:
Some
of the alternative activities that we can participate in to relieve our grief are
simply common sense. A few we will have no interest in trying, but some of them
may peak our interest:
1. Biking, walking, jogging,
strolling in nature
2. Adopting a pet,
caring for an elderly relative or neighbor, joining a service organization in
our area
3. Making a "bucket
list" of activities that we always wanted to try and doing one thing at a
time
4. Going back to school
to finish our degree, pursuing a new career choice, volunteering at community
or church outreaches
5. Searching our soul to
discover what will help us to positively face each new day
6. Spending concentrated
time maturing spiritually and walking in God's Spirit's direction for our life
