Faith and Grief

Hide and Seek: A Grief Devotion

by Elizabeth M. Thompson

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you

hide your face from me? Psalm 13:1

Sometimes when we are struggling through grief, God seems far from us. It is common to feel abandoned by God at the time when we need him the most. For someone who is intimately attached to God, his apparent absence is an even greater loss than the death we are grieving.

How can I get through this valley without my shepherd? I feel lost and alone and unprotected. Where is my shepherd? Who will care for me? Who will lead me through this? Lord, where are You?

Jesus has not forgotten me. Those times when his presence is not evident drive my trust to new depths. They reveal whether I will continue to seek him or turn to something or someone else in my hour of need. As a sheep of his hands, I know his voice and I will heed no other. I will remain in the place I last heard him speak—his holy Word.

Lord, I long for the awareness of your presence. Reveal yourself to me and relieve me of my feelings of abandonment. It is more than I can bear. Empower me to remain steadfast in you, my Good Shepherd. Keep me from seeking to have my needs met by means which are incapable of satisfying my grieving soul. Amen

What God Loves: A Grief Quote by Joni Eareckson Tada

"Sometimes God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves."

~Joni Eareckson Tada from The God I Love

Set Reasonable Goals During Grief: A Grief Quote

"Before Cecil died I had no idea losing a husband caused such devastating despair. I admired the courageous widows I knew and felt a new closeness to them. I felt convinced I would have had an emotional breakdown apart from God's sustaining presence, love and care. Gradually I was sensing 'a peace that cometh after sorrow, of hope surrendered, not of hope fulfilled. A peace that looketh not upon tomorrow, but calmly on a tempest that is stilled.'"

"'This is a good time to set some goals,' my pastor advised.

For me this was a painful process, as it focused me on the future which seemed full of suspense and insecurity. I'll start with just a simple short-term plan.

I wrote:

Spiritual goals

• I will attend church regularly whether I feel like it or not.
• I will read my Bible daily.
• I will pray daily.

Social goals

• I will do an act of kindness for someone at least once a week.

Physical goals

• I will exercise thiry minutes three times a week.

Emotional goals

• I will include in each day some relaxing and enjoyable activity.
• I will display a 'merry heart' even if it kills me!"

~from Instantly a Widow by Ruth Sissom

What goals can you set for yourself as you walk through a season of grief? Keep them simple, attainable and be careful not to expect too much of yourself.

90 Minutes in Heaven: A Comfort to Grievers

A Book Review by Elizabeth M. Thompson Don Piper's life ended abruptly and tragically when a semi crossed into the path of his car, smashing the small vehicle and severely damaging his body. Don's death was only temporary, though, as he was brought back to life through the prayers of a pastor who stopped at the crash site. 90 Minutes in Heaven chronicles Don's experiences during his death and his reluctant return to a productive life on earth. The testimony of his heavenly experience has become a blessing to many believers as they face their own death or the death of a loved one. It compels even skeptical readers to believe in the authenticity of Don's account. Don's story ministers to all believers who have had to learn how to serve God in spite of physical, emotional, mental or psychological disabilities. Since that day in 1989, Don has not experienced one pain-free day. He is an over-comer who challenges us to overcome the limitations in our own life by holding up a mirror before us, revealing our weaknesses for what they are: an opportunity for God's strength to be displayed. His faith and commitment to God are qualities we all hope to have as we face adversity. This captivating story is written with the warmth, intelligence and sensitivity only a seasoned author could achieve. Cecil Murphey has written, co-written, or ghost written over a hundred books Cec was the perfect choice to author this book because of his extensive writing background and expertise, but also because he has the ability to get inside the head and heart of the subject and he enables the reader to do the same.