Acquainted with Grief

Isaiah 53:3

Introduction

Grief is such a personal subject to deal with and yet the scriptures are full of tremendous help on the subject.

It is among the most intense emotions that we feel and as such there are some very extreme approaches to the subject.

On the one hand, you have complete permissiveness. Anything goes while someone is experiencing grief.

In reaction to some of the tailspins and total loss of control that grief can cause, you have an almost stoic (literally) approach. Speak mantras with a shrug of the shoulders and move on.

Neither of these approaches reflect Biblical examples or instruction on the subject.

I need to know how to walk through grief, so I am studying it largely from that perspective.

Sources of Grief

Death

Death of a pet

Death of an unborn child

Death of a child struck with disease

Death of a healthy child

Expected death

Unexpected death

Death of a Christian

Death of one outside of Christ

Sin

My own sin

The sin of others

Broken relationships

Time and distance

Broken society

Loss of prosperity

Some of these have fairly straightforward solutions (Gen. 4:7; 1 Thess. 4:13).

Some are much more difficult to face (1 Kgs. 17:17-24; Lk. 16:19-31).

Sometimes we need to grieve more than we do (Joel 2:12-13).

Sometimes we need to be less grieved than we are (Jonah 4:9; cf. Lev. 10:6-7).

Room for Grief

We do not generally allow for prolonged or extreme displays of grief (Gen. 45:2; Gen. 21:16-17).

Crying is for women and children

We are prone to expect tears to end too quickly (Job 2:13).

Displays of grief do not signal a lack of faith (Job 1:21).

We need to leave room for the personal nature of grief (Prov. 14:10).

It comes in waves and not when bidden

It is gotten over and then cuts afresh.

I believe there is implicit permission in the tears of Jesus (Jn. 11:35).

Tethers

Some speak as though there are no wrong things to say in the midst of grief (Job 2:9-10).

We need to tie ourselves to something strong when the waves are crashing (Job 1:21; 2:10).

When we are tethered, then we can be honest (Psa. 22; 88).

But even then, we ought to maintain reverence (Job 9:22-23).

The tether will keep us from straying too far (Job 19:25).

Conclusion

Grief is an ugly business.

This morning, we are walking down into grief, this evening, we will look at walking back out of it.

Are you weighed down with grief and sorrow? Are you ignoring sorrow for some reason.

You will find both room for your tears and comfort for them in Him (Matt. 5:4).