How will things change for you if you give your grief to God?
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
It’s a challenge to experience joy, in the midst of suffering and loss. We are all going through difficult times with the fear of Covid, businesses shutting down, new threats of major wars around the world, closed schools, health fears of visiting family, and a general lack of social gatherings.
One of the greatest examples of how God turns grief into joy is the resurrection of Jesus. After he was crucified, the disciples went through a time of fear, pain, and grief. They had given up everything to follow Jesus and now he was gone, and nobody had any answers or direction. Even though He had promised the disciples he would return from the dead, they couldn’t grasp the reality of that truth through their grief. Grief has a way of bringing confusion and despair. They stopped running with perseverance and their race got all tangled and confused because they lost sight of the truth. Once the disciples saw Jesus resurrected, they started to understand that sin and death had been conquered and they were no longer controlled by their anxieties and fears. Not understanding God’s purpose and power caused them to believe lies and live with a defeated mindset. Once the lie was replaced by the truth, they let go of their anxiety and fear and found joy again.
When we hold onto the promises of God through challenging times like these, we can experience God’s joy and peace, even in the midst of our suffering. We must be willing to relying on God’s truth, power, and goodness and fix our eyes on Jesus, who suffered on the cross for the joy set before Him of a right relationship with believers through his death and resurrection. So, if you haven’t already, reach out for the one thing that is absolutely true and reliable. The joy, and hope of a new and eternal identity, found only in Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
