Trading Mourning for Gladness: How God Brings New Life Despite Our Deepest Losses by Wycliffe Bible Translatorsഉദാഹരണം

Hope in the Midst of Grieving

Jesus lost His very close friend, Lazarus. Even before word came of Lazarus’ sickness, Jesus knew what was going to happen. And He knew what He was going to do. But after arriving in the city of Bethany, He was filled with compassion for Lazarus’ sisters and friends who were in mourning.

Even knowing that He was about to do the miraculous, Jesus allowed Himself to step into the grief that the people around him were feeling. He took the time to experience the loss. Perhaps He even took some time to consider the suffering Lazarus had endured before his death and felt great pain for His dear friend.

There is so much hope and comfort in the Bible’s shortest verse: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35, NIV).

We don’t know how long Jesus stood there, how hard He cried, how many tears He shed or how loudly He released His heartache. There’s no set time on your grief or set way you need to express it either.

Wherever you are right now, if you’re mourning a loss, take a moment to say it out loud or name the person: “I have lost ___.” And cry out like Jesus did. Grieve and mourn what’s in your heart, and don’t feel bad about it.

The one big difference for you is the power of your testimony in grief. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 tells us that as Christians we don’t have to “... grieve like people who have no hope” (NLT). Even in your loss and heartbreak, you’ve got a hope that transcends your current circumstances.

Acknowledge where you’re at, but also recognize that you’ve been called to live in divine purpose — and your hope amid pain is one of the most powerful things you can share with the people around you. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 encourages us to get up each time our losses want to push us down: “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed ” (NLT). We can keep getting up because of the victory we can have in the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

As you go about your week, hold on to Isaiah 61:3 and remember the promises God has for you in this season and into eternity: A crown of beauty will rise from the ashes in your life; mourning will be replaced by gladness; you will put on a garment of praise instead of despair!

Reflection:

• Say the name of something or someone you have lost. Write down a Scripture promise that can remind you of the hope you have in Jesus in the midst of your grief.
• Is there someone in your life who is facing a loss and needs the hope of Jesus? Start sharing your story!

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For over 80 years, Wycliffe Bible Translators has been connecting people to what God is doing around the world through His Church to bring His life-transforming Word to every man, woman and child.