Sometimes when we go through such deep and profound loss in our lives, we might find ourselves in a season of extended grief. It could be months, years, or decades. Do not lose hope, beloved, for there is a new season that dawns on the other side of grief.
Sometimes a loss (or losses) can be so profound we can’t even voice it or fully wrap our heads around the full impact – whether it’s loss of life, loss of relationship, derailment of career, other. Some beloveds can take time and recover from the loss in stride, while others can be left with an emotional limp and struggle to get back to normal for a prolonged amount of time. In the latter, these beloveds may throw themselves into distraction to cope – not even understanding that’s what they are doing.
Such distractions can take on many forms, for we are all unique and loss affects each of us differently. In all these distractions, whether it is overworking, overeating, staying over busy, or even staying completely still and unable to move, progress, or open up. In all of these, there is a commonality – “over” – the extreme, moving in a way that is not light or joyous or fully what the Lord has created us to do and be. In such a season of profound grief, one may not even understand these “over actions” are coping mechanisms. Beloved, you are stronger than you know, for you are trying to overcome.
In this place there is a tendency to continue to look back and compare our lives to what was, instead of what God can create new in and around us. Here there is a danger of anger, bitterness, creeping in and affecting our hearts. There can even be a second guessing of past decisions to the point where regret seems to cover as a blanket so that all effort seems futile. These are strategies the enemy uses to derail us when we are cast down – yes, that’s how evil that evil can be.
There will be a time when all the “overages” will come to an end and they finally wear ourselves out trying to distract from the loss. This is not a hopeless place, but hopeful. It can mean we are nearing the end of the season that often we ourselves prolong. Just know, there is another season on the other side of grief. Oh beloved, we must know the Truth of God’s Word in such times so that we can be set free – for weeping remains for a night (or even a thousand nights), but joy comes in the morning. The Lord does not desire we stay in this place of grief and loss and constant inner struggle, for there is a season to weep but there is also a season to laugh, dance, and love.
Let us see our lives as a long game. We are here to live and move and have our being in Jesus. Ours is to walk in His light all of our days until we have completed our earthly race. He walks with us, He understands our hurts, He never leaves or forsakes us all of our days. Not one tear goes unnoticed.
When loss takes away those things that are dear to our hearts and changes our planned course of action, just know that these losses can be safely committed to Jesus. Offer these deep things to the Lord, lay them down, and do not pick them up again to carry, weep over, or regret. Ours is to continue to walk until we at last see Him, the Creator of the universe face-to-face, who laid down His life that we might live. He, who numbers all of ur days and stays with us – closer than a brother. Seek Him, not distraction, to find everlasting and authentic peace.
In this place of grief, do not ask why – the answer is simple, we live in a fallen world since Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate that fruit. Bad things can happen and we can make bad choices because of our imperfect hearts. The Lord would have us be free from such griefs and regrets and give Him our heartbreaks.
Until then, understand that joy does come in the morning. The Lord can heal every hurt, He can give new purpose and establish new steps. He can even make us so satisfied in His presence and the days we have to glorify Him, that we can let go of the past and fully embrace what He would have us do next.
Psalm 31:24 “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
Let us press on to the high calling of Jesus Christ, forgetting what is behind and knowing He has all of those losses in His hands. Let us finish the work He has for us and look forward to the unimaginable joy and glory we can experience in His presence here and throughout eternity. Your best days are not behind you, walk with His warming and glorious light on your face. There is so much hope and newness in Him, Let Him bind up the wounds and be at peace, here in the land of the living. Let us seek the Lord in how we can finish strong.
Psalm 31:24
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.
Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends – those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Let me not be put to shame, Lord, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead. Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you,that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.
Praise be to the Lord,for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.