Good Grief

Rev. Dr. Kevin Jackson
Cherry Point, North Carolina

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

How can we take any more? This is the sentiment of many individuals who I have had the profound privilege to walk with during their season of loss. I think you would agree we have not experienced this much loss in most of our lifetimes.

How shall we approach the reality that the United States has lost over 540,000 lives since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic? What should be the believer’s posture during this season?
Know that God gives us permission to grieve. This is expressed through the writings of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. The Apostle Paul calls to their attention the reality and need to grieve, but he deals with the how. That is what I want to focus on, how to grieve in this season. Paul made a distinction between a believer’s posture during loss and those who have no hope. If you have lost someone, know that God has given you full permission to grieve that loss in a healthy manner.

Understand that God wants you to experience Good Grief. Grief that is submerged in the hope that is given for all who trust in Jesus. Your journey of grief is based on your timeline. There will be times of ebb and flow with your emotions. Allow those times to happen along with your commitment to continue to pray and give worship to God. Good grief happens when we remember the person we lost and as we learn from the grieving process.

Memories are a gift from those who once lived. God wants you to remember the individual you lost. Good Grief happens when you remember the individual, talk about your good experiences, and share them with persons who are patient with you during your season of grief. Peruse old photos, read letters, visit places that bring back fond memories. There is one thing death cannot do. It cannot take away your memories.

All life experiences has the potential to teach us something. God wants you to grow during your season of grief. That is right! God can take something as painful as loss and use it to mature you in Him. Dr. Moitinho of Grief Share provided the following questions for those who are grieving to ponder:

• What is God teaching me about Himself?
• What am I learning about myself during this season of grief?
• What am I learning about others?

If you take this season and give it the opportunity to facilitate growth in your life, you will experience Good Grief. No, Good Grief will not take away all of the pain or erase the insensitive statements of people who may mean well but say the wrong things. Good Grief will give you the best experience you can receive during your season of loss.

I know experiencing loss can be difficult, but God is inviting all of us to grieve with hope. He wants us to experience Good Grief.

Rev. Dr. Kevin M. Jackson

Scripture Readings:
Monday- Psalm 30:5
Tuesday- Psalm 23
Wednesday- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Thursday- 1 Corinthians 15: 55-58
Friday- Philippians 4:4-8
Saturday- Matthew 11: 28-29