Understanding and Getting through Grief - Part I

The tragic acts of terrorism perpetrated on our nation on September 11, 2001 left almost three thousand people dead and multiple thousands in a state of grief. My family and friends were no exception. Our daughter Elizabeth was at work on the 97th floor of the North tower of the World Trade Center. The first plane hit the area where she and fellow employees of Marsh & McLennan worked; none of then survived.

Jesus our Savior was a man familiar with suffering and grief. In our time of grief we must turn to Him knowing that He will help us carry our sorrows and, with time, turn our grief into joy.

3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted (Isaiah 53:3-4).

20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy (John 16:20-22).

I pray that The Lord Jesus will minister His comfort to you and help you get through your time of grief.

Pastor Earl