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Many of us have encountered sorrow in our lives. Grief and loss are as much a part of life as birth and marriage. We may be affected by the passing of a loved one, loss of a relationship, our home or possessions. Or loss of a job, our health, or a future we had planned for.

When we experience loss, how do we react? Do we rage against the injustice of it all and blame God, the government, or others? Do we isolate ourselves? Do we keep ourselves excessively busy to avoid thinking? Do we use alcohol and other substances in an effort to escape a reality we find intolerable? Do we fall so deep into a dark well of misery and despair that we can no longer see the light?

We may find ourselves continually questioning why? Why God? Why me? With hindsight, do we ruminate on what we should have or could have done differently? Maybe we could have spent more time with them? Are we trying to discover what we did wrong for this to occur? Where we somehow deviated from the perfect or righteous path. If so, we are deceived and misguided.

Jesus modelled who God is while he was here on earth:

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

John 5:19-20 (ESV)

Father God sent his son to earth to bring us the good news and die on a cross for the forgiveness of sins and to give all who believe eternal life. But that wasn’t enough. Then, He sent the Holy Spirit, the comforter, to be with us always. In the bible both the Holy Spirit and Jesus are described as advocating on our behalf. It’s obvious that God is good. He truly cares for us and has gone to and continues to go to extraordinary lengths to have a relationship with us. We must remember God is love.

Whoever who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1John 4:8 (NIV)

So, how could we possibly believe our loving Father, from whom all love and goodness flow, would punish us? It’s absurd. We are living in an imperfect world and unfortunately, we experience difficulties and great tragedies. Jesus said:

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

John 16:33 (Amp)

Our thoughts are powerful. What we think about affects our emotions and behaviour. They can lead to the oil of joy for mourning or devastate our lives. We have a choice to dwell on things that continue to cause us pain and heartache or to trust and hope in our all powerful, loving God.

The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Ps 34:18 (ESV)

Hope is the opposite of despair and joy the opposite of mourning. Is hope wishful thinking? No. Christian hope is trusting God and waiting expectantly for God. Additionally, joy is not happiness from something achieved or experienced – that is fleeting happiness. Christian joy is a lasting emotion that is based on choosing to trust God and believing that He does and always has fulfilled his promises.

Whatever happens, we must not turn away from God and the hope of the world. Our God is a good God. If we lay all our burdens at His feet and admit I can’t do this, He blesses us with the endurance to continue regardless of our circumstances and also, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

If we are struggling with believing that God cares. If we think it’s all too good to be true. Put on some worship music. Read the bible. Spend some time with God. If we lean into Him, He meets us more than half way. He will catch us in His loving embrace and bless us in ways we cannot even imagine. His blessings are renewed every morning.

I hope this blog blesses you. If you would like to leave a comment or subscribe please fill out the section below. God bless you and your family.