Category Archive

As Advent begins and preparations for Christmas are underway, the arrival of Christmas can be more challenging for those who suffer with grief.  If you are someone who has experienced a loss due to death, a job ending, a divorce, estrangement in a relationship, then the joy and jubilance of the season can be quite emotional and even an unwanted celebration.  Jesus knows that.

This King of kings we herald, Jesus the Christ, is worthy of all honor, praise, and celebration.  Part of the reason to rejoice over His birth and coming is that He came to prove to you and to me that He would never leave us.  He never has.  Faith is oh so easy when times are easy and life does not distress.  But when circumstances are such that faith ebbs and joy is gone, this Saviour of all time and place, carries us by the might of His Spirit through times that we would not—could not—survive without Him.  That may be one such time for you this Christmas or for someone you know.  Trust that the Lord Jesus is with you now.  Even in your weakness, open your heart to the broad power that is His and can see you through this Christmastide.

Lord Jesus, contemplating Your birth is indeed joyous.  Yet, You know that there are many who weep and wonder this season as to how they will endure these weeks.  Lord, You are the answer.  May each one in need receive Your touch of assurance and brace themselves on the arm of Your love to walk them through this Advent Season.  In Thee, Amen.

Gratitude in a time of grief.  How could this be possible? When loss comes and empty days are faced with confusion, despondency, tears, anger, and silence, giving thanks is a foreign act.   However, painful as it is go live through a season of sorrow, this is an opportunity for God to reveal His faithfulness to us, and for us to show our loyalty to Him.

There are times in life that are so emotionally challenging that a spirit just wants out.  But there is more growth and conformity to Christ’s character in times of challenge than there is in times without distress.  Grief does offer gratitude when meaningful memories flow, and insights about relationships come to the surface; a rise that might not have been were it not for the pain of separation and goodbye.

Trust the companionship of the Lord Jesus to bring you to a place with Him so that you can know grateful—even in this season of life.  The first and foremost reason for gratitude is the Love by your side in this season: Jesus Himself.

Lord Jesus, Your presence is reason to be grateful.  It assures us that we are not alone in our times of disappointment, sorrow, and challenge.  This Thanksgiving, may hearts make room for You, no matter what other emotions are also seated in the heart.  Thank You, Lord Christ, for Thy presence and loving care.  In Thee, Amen.

Believing in someone or something that has let you down is a disappointment that can confuse and challenge one in a state of grief.  Specifically, when someone dies as a result of drug or alcohol addiction or suicide, grief is often exacerbated by shame, guilt and anger.  One may think such a death was preventable.  If only is a notion that can puzzle and haunt individuals in a season of grief.  That open thought stays in the air.  Blessedly, such thoughts are mingled with the Spirit of God.

 The Lord’s presence changes all circumstances to make them His opportunities to reveal His love and faithfulness.  It may not feel or seem like love is present when the angst of a tragic death bears down.  But love is present.  Christ is present.  Sorrows in life are the underside of love but still very much a part of love’s fabric.  Often it is the more complex and deeply moving experiences known out of love that act to strengthen love and faith, and create courage necessary to forgive, heal, and keep on loving.

Lord of love, You know that separation from those a loved one is indeed one of the most challenging experiences we can know in life.   Lord, when You went to the cross to die for all sin, Your separation from the Father was an acute emotional pain.  You know what it is to grieve and long.  Jesus, be with those who grieve and long now.  Touch them so they know Your peace.  May resurrection hope revive and sustain those who hurt.  Thank You, Jesus, for Thy loving care.  Amen.

How much?  How much do you think it will cost you to keep following the Star, Jesus Christ?  We may not often ask that question of ourselves yet life’s circumstances are such that at times we are challenged to go to the core of that answer.  Disappointment, illness, job loss, death, schism in relationships, and cultural pulls toward sin are among the realities that Christians face in this life as they seek hour by hour to keep following the Star. 

The degree to which you will follow Jesus is measured by how much you trust His answer to that question.  Jesus made it clear on the cross at Calvary that He is willing to go all the way for those He loves.  Isaiah informs us For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.  He endured.  There was something ahead worth holding on for.  There was something more important than Himself: You.

Hold on.  Keep following the Star, Jesus.  He is with you.  Whatever hurts today, this week, this moment, know that you do not feel it or face it alone.  Jesus is with you.  Trust His presence even when you cannot feel it.  Look at the cross; it is the only reminder you will ever need to awaken your hope that He will go all the way with you and for you.

Jesus, You did it all.  You held on.  You suffered.  You died.  You rose.  Why?  For love.  Lord Jesus, may the one who is reading this be assured by Spirit-power that You are with them and that they can indeed carry on for You carry them.  In thee, our Saviour, Amen.

Fear paralyzes.  It thwarts spiritual growth, stymies one’s relationship with Jesus, and makes a saint encumbered and inactive.  Loss prompts fear.  Even threat of a loss can make one fearful.  Jesus does not want us to be fearful.  He came to vanquish fear—forever.

Losses in life are real.  They hurt.  All of the emotions that attend a loss are valid.  But for the Christian, no loss is experienced alone.  Jesus is there in the steps of loss and pain to carry one through a season that is painful.  Moreover, anything that one is fearful of losing, can be governed by Christ if it is given over to Him.  Give your fear over to Jesus.  Today.  He has the power to set you free from fear.  Let Him.

Jesus, You made a way for us to be free from fear—You are the way.  Thank You for the active way that You take fear away to release believers from its burden and paralysis.  May those who fear come to trust You to be their courage and defense, and to receive comfort from Your strength and presence.  In Thee, Lord Jesus, Amen.

There is nothing that the Lord Jesus cannot see you through.  Do you believe that statement?  Do you believe it today?  Did you believe it at another time in your life?  Whatever your answer is right now, Jesus has not left your side.  He is with you.  He wants to see you through these days of challenge.  He has the power to do it.  Do you have the faith to let Him?

In its own way, weak faith is a gift.  It enables God through the Son, Jesus, to uphold us with His strength and allow us to see how much He loves us and how faithful He is.  God’s commitment to you and to me is stalwart.  Nothing and no one can break that bond.  However, painful seasons in life test the bond.  He is holding on to you.  Let Him. 

Lord, You are there.  No matter what.  No matter who.  Your power and Your love abound when life’s storms come, and when they subside.  Jesus, may Your faith encourage this reader today, and for all tomorrows yet to be.  In Thee, Amen.

Tomorrow.  This word can prompt hope.  This word can stir dread.  To live is to know these polar opposites, and the many feelings in between in the spectrum of human emotion.  When a loss occurs in life, tomorrow can be hollow and full of dread.  The absence of someone or something can make for a painful reality.  Tomorrows become just another block of time to manage through.  Jesus knows that. 

Jesus is the One—the only One—who stays through the days and nights of sorrow, and leads the way to a tomorrow of hope.  When you go through another day, you are living in hope.  Even when emotions are challenging, energy is weak, and motivation is limp, Jesus makes possible your passage through that day.  The closeness of Jesus assures that each tomorrow is leading your spirit toward tomorrows that will eventually feel more hopeful.  Truly they will be filled with hope for Jesus will be there—just as He is there right now.  You are not alone.

Jesus, sorrows in life can deplete people of hope and make the future seem fruitless.  Because of Thee, it is not.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for comforting those who need Your companionship and love.  Thank You, Jesus, for the hope You offer by simply staying near.  In Thee, our Lord, Amen.

Spiritual blindness can be brought on by grief.  An inability to see God for all He is and life for what it is via God’s plan and by God’s love is a common occurrence in times of despair.  In a human state of grief, it is beyond human ability to see beyond goodbye and see a clearing.  Grief blurs and mars vision to make for a gray and foggy view of life.

Life with Jesus assures that His eyes are wide open and that He leads the way.  Jesus sees.  Jesus leads. Let Him.  Follow Him.  When grief debilitates and actions are seemingly futile, Jesus guides you.  Blurred spiritual vision may come for a season.  Jesus came to accompany people throughout all seasons in life, and to draw others to Himself for the life to come.  Hold on to Jesus.  He is holding on to you.  He has the clear spiritual vision for both of you.  He wants to be your vision.  Let Him.   

Lord Jesus, someone reading this is hurting.  He or she needs a gentle touch from You.  They need to see a clear path to tomorrow.  Give it to them.  You make the path.  You are the path.  Please grant spiritual vision to those who grieve.   Thank You, Lord, Amen.

Do you know that whatever you do on any given day is seen by God.  Even if you take your eyes off of Him, He is still watching over you.  Life’s circumstances, pains, sorrows, memories, decisions, and disappointments, can cause eyes to shift away from God.  Nothing—nothing—takes His gaze away from you.

Where will you look today?  Perhaps the answer is at your pain, the pain of someone else that hurts you, and maybe your focus is on the unknown.  Wherever your gaze rests, a loving and healing God has His eyes fixed on you.  How could it ever be otherwise for Him.  You see, this is where His heart is fixed—on you.

Lord, Your watchfulness is a gift and a balm.  Even when we may not realize how close You are, Your eyes of love remain on us.  Lord, help the person reading this to know that Your eyes shall be on them throughout the course of this day, the course of this week.  Give this person the touch of Your Spirit so that whatever days bring, there is assurance that You are there and that no breath is taken alone.  In Jesus Christ, Amen.

Even.  Even though.  Even if.  Even when.  This is the way of God.  Anything that we see that may limit is His opportunity to reveal Himself and show His faithfulness.  Faith is more about belief in His belief in us than the other way around.  Life’s challenges and sorrows are prime opportunities for believers to see His faithfulness displayed.

Whatever your evens may be this week, remember that even though things look one way, to God they look another.  Because of His vision and His trustworthy love, there is a way through and a way out.  He promised.

Father God, Your faithfulness is unmatched.  Even though we carry a certain portion of faith in our hearts, it does not compare to Your faith, which carries us.  Be near this week to help us sense Your presence and follow Your lead.  In Jesus, Amen.