Tag Archives: grief

DEAR GOD: Help Us In Our Holding Positions In This Lifetime~

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JESUS GOES BEFORE US – AIMING FOR JESUS

John 14:3 – “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself…”

Were you ever in a “holding position?”  I mean to say waiting for an event to transpire or- waiting for troubles to disappear?  That could encompass many areas in your life. Things such as marriage troubles, financial distress, family issues crumbling, health woes, grief, and just feeling “out of sorts and anxiously waiting for improvement.”

These can all be referred to as “holding periods or holding positions” in our lives.  The thing is as it states in 1 Corinthians 10:13-I will attempt to paraphrase the meaning of that particular scripture. – “What’s happening in your life right now is not uncommon to others, whether it’s temptations or difficulties – Others have gone through it and others are struggling with it right now.  But the important matter of this message is- God will never bring you to something you can’t handle, and He will bring you through it, plus show you a way out of whatever is troubling you.” 

When we realize that we are not alone and have the faith of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20) there isn’t anything we can’t do or accomplish – but only through Jesus Christ.

  • He is the anchor in our storm. 
  • He is the balm for the pain in our hearts. 
  • He is the peace through the chaotic avenues of life.
  • He is the love that binds to our souls. 
  • He is the Master of the Universe and the satiety center in our brains. 
  • He is the only ONE that is capable of ALL things.
  • And nothing is impossible with God.

Whoever needs to hear this today – please know what is happening in your life is temporary. And that there is a solution. It may not be today, or tomorrow or the day after that – but there is a solution. God knows your pain, and He will guide you through it – and He is with you always. He never leaves your side. (Matthew 28:20)

Sometimes the solution isn’t what we expected. Prayers not answered, may be answered in another way. A way in which God deems is necessary and part of His plan and will in our lives. Through our pain, suffering and grief and anxiety – We need Him more than ever. Our physical stamina may be lacking – but our spiritual strength is fortified by His Spirit and His love. 

It’s okay to be “angry” or “questioning” that is the human side of Christians – but it’s times like that we need to gird ourselves with the Word and His truth. It’s these times that we stand on the Rock and grip the foundation of His awesome power and promises. That’s when our spiritual growth intensifies.  That is when we become more mature in the Word and His love.  That’s when we move up the rank in the army of Christ. 

Please trust in God. Open His book of love written for us – the Holy Bible – and delve into it. Learn it. Obey it. And have faith in the fact that He goes before us in all we do. As he has said so many times in the Bible – “Be of good courage and have no fear…”

Key Instances Where God Reassures us:

  • Joshua 1:6–9 – God tells Joshua three times to “be strong and of good courage” as he prepares to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Verse 9 adds: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you.”
  • Deuteronomy 31:6–8 – Moses encourages Joshua and the Israelites: “Be strong and of good courage… do not fear nor be afraid of them.” God repeats this directly to Joshua.
  • Psalm 27:14 – “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.” Though “fear not” isn’t explicit here, the context is one of trusting God amid danger.
  • Mark 6:50 – Jesus tells His disciples, frightened by His walking on water: “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” This echoes the same divine reassurance.
  • Luke 1:30 – Angel Gabriel tells Mary: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” While “courage” isn’t named, the sentiment is deeply aligned.
  • Genesis 21:17 – God tells Hagar not to fear when she’s in the wilderness with her son Ishmael.
  • Deuteronomy 31:8 -“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Please try to grasp the enormity of the situation – we have a GOD who is watching over us. Even if we are lost in a moment of despair. Or days of anguish. He is with us.

The hands of time are moving. Although at times it may seem the sands of time stand still during a crisis in life – which can be overwhelming and seemingly endless!  He is with you, with me, with us. 

His promises are like dewdrops on the most beautiful delicate petals of a gorgeous rose. Like a rose as it glistens – He is there resting upon us, gently, refreshing us, and glimmering in our heart and soul.

I pray for peace to those reading this. That the peace of Jesus Christ rest with you all. And I pray for those to really engage Him daily in prayer, scripture and practice. 

A life with CHRIST is so much easier to handle and navigate the hairpin curves on the road in our lives, than to try and steer the wheel without Him.  

A life with Christ is a LIFE worth living.  Without Him – there is NO life.

“LORD, Father God, I just ask that those reading this will realize the extent of Your love and sacrifice, that whatever is troubling them at this moment in time, that You will guide them to a resolution, and that their hearts, will be comforted by Your love and Your promises, and may Your light shine upon them today and always, in Jesus, name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: You Are With Me All The Seasons Of My Life~

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" I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You Joshua 1 Verse 6 | God’s ...

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” –Romans 12:15

 

When I see this verse from Romans 12:15- immediately the LORD comes to mind. He is the One that rejoices with us, and weeps with us as we go through life. He is the consummate Friend and Protector, and our Almighty Abba Father. And the One who is there for every single second of our lives here on earth, and if we are faithful servants and followers – He will be there when we join Him in Eternity.

Life is a series of ups and downs.  A virtual collection of gains and losses.  We have good times, and good seasons. Ostensibly, we have bad times, and bad seasons.

We can gather great gains. We can suffer great losses. And in all honestly and reality, we wouldn’t be living if these things didn’t occur.  Because LIFE happens to be constantly changing, it doesn’t remain stagnant. If it did – then something is amiss. Because as the water flows, so does life. It swirls, it babbles, it creates waves, it can be placid. So, too are our patterns in life. It is ever moving-ever changing-ever flowing!

If we are fortunate, we get to see many different aspects of life. Including major milestones!  Our first birthday!  Our sweet 16!  Entering adulthood – 21st birthday a major one for me!  Then, if we are blessed- marriage, children – careers.  And each decade after that, we are in celebration of our life- thanks to the One who made it all possible.

When I lost my dad – 26 years ago. I literally had trouble breathing, I felt like I was suffocating. Like I was moving in slow motion. Like a living nightmare I was unable to awaken from.  But – with my siblings, and my beautiful beloved mom, family and friends – I got through the tragic and untimely death of my dad.  But the ONE that held me up, the entire time?  You got it and guessed it correctly – the LORD!

And He, my LORD wept along with me. He reminded me that I would see my dad again, and that my dad was with Him in heaven. And it brough great relief and comfort to my soul. His Words, His promises, and His Presence all provided soothing balm for my aching broken heart. And anyone who suffered the loss of a parent(s) or a loved one in general – can all relate to that feeling of anguish.

When my mom passed away on another one of my “milestone birthdays” – I was unable to breathe once again…and yet again -the LORD gave me breath from His heart and His love – and got me through it.  I recognized mom going home to heaven on my birthday as a gift. She had “delivered me” that very day (all those years ago!) and the LORD “delivered her” back home to His arms. So, consequently I’ve come to think of it as a blessing and a gift from the LORD.  

So – the verse I started this post with from Romans – is vital to our existence as Christians. Because when you meditate upon it, you will understand and feel the significance of those very words.  Throughout our lifetime, there will always be moments we share with family, friends, colleagues, that all together comprise many components of humanity.  That is to say -sadness, happiness, gains, losses, and seasons of joy, and seasons of happiness. And at times, season of stillness.  The critically important thing in all of these moments is to remember, that our LORD is with us through it all!  And that is what matters. Because with HIM we can survive and go on.

When we cling to Him and hold His hand as He guides us throughout our lifetime and aspire to do all according to His will and purpose in our lives, we will be able to LIVE a LIFE worth LIVING!

Yes!

“Father, God -thank You for holding our hand through it all – good times and bad, we love You always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

“… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)

DEAR GOD: Thank You For Your Divine Compassion~

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The Bible In Paintings 85: JESUS WEEPS AT LAZARUS' DEATH

“Jesus Wept ” – John 11:35

 

 

 The Tears of Christ: A Reflection on Divine Compassion

 

“Jesus wept.” The shortest verse in the Bible, yet one of the most profound. In just two words, we glimpse the depth of Christ’s love, His empathy, and His shared sorrow with humanity. The moment occurs in Bethany, as Jesus stands before the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus, surrounded by mourning friends and family. Although He knows that Lazarus will soon be raised from the dead, He pauses—not to explain, not to justify, but to weep.

This moment shatters any notion that Christ was distant from human suffering. His tears were not for lack of faith but a demonstration of His deep compassion. They affirm that grief is not weakness, that sorrow is not failure, and that God Himself acknowledges the weight of loss. The Savior of the world did not simply perform miracles—He entered into the pain of those around Him.

Then and Now: What This Means for Us

In Biblical times, weeping was an outward expression of mourning, but Jesus’ tears carried a Divine significance. They were not just for Lazarus—they were for all humanity, for the suffering of a world plagued by sin and death. Even as He stood moments away from reversing death’s grip, He showed that grief is part of the human experience. This moment reveals the heart of God—not a distant ruler, but a compassionate Father who understands and walks alongside His children in sorrow.

Today, this verse remains just as relevant. When we face heartbreak, loss, or uncertainty, we may question whether God sees, whether He cares. But here in John 11:35, we are reminded that He does.

He is not indifferent to our struggles, and His Presence is not just for the triumphant moments—it is for the silent tears, the nights of doubt, the prayers that feel unanswered. Just as He wept for Lazarus, He is near in every sorrow we bear.

Moral & Spiritual Considerations

The tears of Christ teach us that sorrow does not equate to a lack of faith. Grief is natural, and rather than rush past pain, we are called to embrace the Presence of God within it. Our faith does not erase suffering, but it transforms how we experience it—knowing that God does not waste a single tear.

Moreover, Jesus’ weeping calls us to mirror His compassion. How often do we overlook the suffering of others? How often do we rush past someone’s pain, eager for resolution but unwilling to sit in the discomfort of mourning? Christ calls us to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15), to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and to love as He loved.

Supporting Scriptures:

  • Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
  • Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…”
  • Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…”
  • Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…”

Meditative Question:

How can I embrace Christ’s compassion in my own life, learning to see sorrow not as something to avoid, but as an opportunity to draw closer to God and to others?

 Prayer:

“Lord, You are the God who weeps. You do not turn away from our suffering, nor do You ask us to bear our burdens alone. In Your tears, we see the depth of Your love—a love that walks with us through every valley, a love that redeems even the darkest moments. Teach us to trust Your Presence in our grief, knowing that no tear is unseen, no sorrow forgotten. Help us to extend Your compassion to others, to sit in the sacred space of mourning without rushing toward answers but simply embracing the power of love. May we never forget that You understand that You care, and that one day, You will wipe away every tear. In the holy name of Jesus, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: “Jesus Wept”- Thank You For Your Compassion~

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The Bible In Paintings 85: JESUS WEEPS AT LAZARUS' DEATH

“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35

This verse, though brief, holds a depth that resonates with the human soul. It captures a moment of divine empathy, an expression of raw humanity from the Son of God. In two simple words, we witness the profound connection between Christ and those He came to save. Here is a reflection and commentary on this powerful verse:

When we consider the context of this verse, it occurs during the death of Lazarus. Jesus, upon seeing the grief of Mary and the mourners, is moved to tears. He stands before the tomb of His beloved friend, fully aware of the miracle He is about to perform—Lazarus will rise again. And yet, He weeps.

Why did Jesus cry if He knew He had the power to bring Lazarus back to life? This moment reveals the depths of Christ’s compassion. His tears are not born of hopelessness but of shared sorrow. In weeping, He acknowledges the pain, the heartache, and the fragility of human existence. His divine power did not shield Him from feeling the weight of humanity’s suffering. Instead, it equipped Him to carry it fully and share in it deeply.

Christ’s tears remind us that faith does not mean the absence of emotion. Grief is not a failure of belief but an expression of love. To mourn is to testify to the value of what was lost. In His weeping, Jesus sanctifies our tears, showing us that sorrow is not something to hide or suppress but something that draws us closer to God.

But there is more: His tears foreshadow the ultimate victory over pain and death. In the same way that He stood before Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus would one day stand in the shadow of the cross, carrying the full burden of humanity’s grief and sin. His weeping is a promise that our suffering will not have the final word.

Today, when we weep, we can remember this verse and take comfort in knowing that we do not cry alone. The God who weeps with us is also the God who saves us. Through Him, our tears, though bitter, will one day be wiped away forever.

“Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word and the profound reminder of Your compassion through the tears of Christ. May this reflection bring comfort to those in grief and strengthen the faith of those in doubt. Let it serve as a beacon of hope, showing that Your love meets us in our sorrow and carries us toward eternal joy. Bless all who read this, that they may feel Your presence and draw closer to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”

What are your thoughts my brothers and sisters?
Does this spark any reflections for you?
Your interest in exploring God’s Word and scripture often opens up such enriching insights and revelations of what He expects of us, today and always!

DEAR GOD: You Heal Our Broken Hearts~

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Healing for a broken heart – Rejoice in Him

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” –Matthew 5:41

 Grief is a journey that winds through the valley of despair, climbs the mountains of sorrow, and sometimes finds rest in the meadows of memory. It is a deeply personal and profound experience, unique to each individual, yet universally understood. The act of grieving, of allowing tears to flow for a loved one lost, is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the depth of our love.

In the sacred texts, we find solace and understanding. The scriptures speak to the heart of our pain, offering both comfort and permission to grieve. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes. This assurance is a gentle reminder that our sorrow is seen, our tears are known, and our pain is acknowledged by a compassionate God.

The Psalms, too, are rich with the language of lament. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit,” the Psalmist writes, giving voice to our inner turmoil. In these ancient songs, we find a God who is not distant or disinterested but intimately acquainted with our grief.

As we navigate the tumultuous seas of loss, we may find ourselves questioning the purpose of our pain. Yet, even here, the scriptures offer wisdom. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away,” we read in Revelation. This vision of a future without suffering gives us hope that our grief is not in vain, that it leads us somewhere—a place of healing and wholeness.

In the midst of our grief, we are not alone. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, both seen and unseen, who have walked this path before us. They remind us that to grieve is human, to cry is to honor the love we carry, and to mourn is to move towards healing.

Let us not rush through our grief, nor demand of ourselves a premature composure. Instead, let us grieve fully and deeply, as deeply as we loved. For in our tears, we find a sacred space where the heart can begin to heal, and the soul can start to mend.

 “Heavenly Father, In the quiet sanctuaries of our hearts, we come before You with tears that speak more eloquently than words. You, who collect all our tears in Your bottle, understand the language of our weeping. In our grief, grant us the grace to mourn, the strength to endure, and the hope of Your eternal comfort. May we feel Your presence in our sorrow and find peace in Your promises. Amen.”

DEAR GOD: You Lift Me Over The Fires & Bring Beauty~

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Beauty for Ashes | Prophetic Light

 

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” 
Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)

I began walking through the doors God was opening for me, so many years ago.  And as anyone who is a follower, or filled with unwavering faith, it makes a difference in every single scenario during our lifetime.

When we are well acquainted with the LORD’s promises, and His voice, we can endeavor to overtake and undertake, all kinds of circumstances.  That obviously pertains to both good and bad times and all of those in between times.

Life brings a series of gains, along with the losses.  In the progression of life, we lose loved ones along the way.  There are those we expect to “die before us” and it’s usually our grandparents, or parents, which hits full force in the pit of the stomach.  But those are expected, albeit sad and gut wrenching no less.

Some who are reading this at this moment have recently lost their spouses, and are finding themselves in a “new kind of reality.” Life is not the way it was any longer, and they are hurting.

Then there are the unexpected, and totally out of the realm of reality situations, like the loss of a precious child.  Or a young friend, that lost their life by a fatal error in an operating room, and yet another individual being killed by a driver that was under the influence.

All of these situations are horrific, some more shocking than others. I’m sure there are so many others, who have had their hearts slashed to ribbons. No matter the circumstances—Grief is real, it hurts, and it’s exhausting to the mind, heart, body and soul.

This morning when I woke up, and thanked God for another day, I felt that “someone visiting my site” needed to read, and hear this today.

The Spirit within led me to write this, and whomever you are right now, I pray it blessed you. I pray God’s light and comfort wash over you and bring you a semblance of peace and guidance from above.

Through so many “dark times” in which I’ve lost my grandparents, parents, my very best friend, acquaintances and the loss of our fur baby, whom we adored…There was one common denominator in all of the sad times…God had been there non-stop.

Just as I know He’s there for you right this moment. He has been with us all along. His promises are real, secure, and never ending. Especially His love.

He has given me bouquet upon bouquet of beauty,  for my clenched fists full of ashes.  And He will do the same for you.

Thank God, for the majority of individuals, life overall can be filled with joy.  However, on the same hand, it can be blistering painful.

But how we manage to get through it, is what it’s all about.

When we embrace, and realize that God is ever faithful, the same today, as He was yesterday, or tomorrow—and realize His promises are true—We can certainly get through life as He holds us up with His right hand of righteousness.

He promises us “beauty for our ashes,” as He did with Joseph.  He did so with Ruth, and for Job, and a host of others throughout the ages in the Bible and to this very day in time.

There is always an “open door” that God will guide us through.  Or an open window, to let the fresh air in, when we recognize that the LORD’s promises, and His unrelenting love are there for us all the time.  We then are able to see potential in every situation we face, because we are facing it alone. Nope, we are NOT ALONE.

Because no matter how we are suffering, He hears and sees us. He counts our tears, and He always has a plan for us…for our betterment, and for our peace.

When we know Him, it gets easier to face our adversities, no one said it’s easy, but it is so much better when the LORD is in the center of our lives, and we understand that He is in control.

 

“Father, thank You for always providing the path and the door for me to walk through, for opening a window for those moments in my life I couldn’t breathe from so much pain and grief, and for always loving me, may I always be mindful of Your grace, and Your gifts from above,  I pray for those who are in need of Your touch, and  for those who are suffering, may they find comfort in You, and seek Your face in all they do, in Jesus name, Amen.”