Help with Grief

I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn’t like the peace this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.

John 14:27 (CEV)

When we lose something special to us, we grieve. Loss of a friendship or community, a dream, or losing a pet or person to death sends us into a cycle of sadness. We may try to bargain with God for another chance, pretend that what happened didn’t affect us, get angry, or get depressed. But eventually we must accept our losses and the sadness they bring.

So how are we supposed to work through grief? The best way is to go straight to Jesus. When Jesus was telling his disciples that he would die soon, he said he would give them peace—not like the temporary peace that is so easily broken, but a deep sense of knowing things will be okay.

This world’s idea of peace is fragile, or unstable. It does not last. But knowing God loves you and you love him creates a stable confidence that God will bring you through all the troubles, and he will make things right again someday. Peace from Jesus makes all loss and pain endurable.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Jesus is your one, true peace. Where is the most peaceful place you know? How about a private, tropical island? Decorate your own island in your journal or a piece of paper. Palm trees, a lounge chair, an umbrella . . . be creative!

PRAY

Lord Jesus, a lot of things bring loss and grief. I need your peace. Thank you for taking care of me through my sadness.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and put on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Read through the following passages today in the tabbed Bible References.

Psalm 23:1–2

Isaiah 26:3

John 16:33

Philippians 4:6–7