Grief. An unwanted yet unfortunately encountered emotion. With all of the trials in the world, we must remember what the Bible says. Because all that matters, all that’s lasting, all that will help us get through and heal, and all that will remain in the end is Jesus.
1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perished even though refined by fire- may result in prayer, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
God never said life would be easy. Even as Christians, we may encounter hardships. But we do have God on our side through it all. This verse says that we will go through grief. But it’s so we can prove our faith. So we can come out stronger than we were before, truly understanding that God is our steady foundation.
A little while before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples, “You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. A 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. So 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).
Jesus knew that we would face pain and trouble. He faced pain so we could be set free. But He also gave a promise that through the pain that “no one will take away your joy.”
He gives us a promise through it all: the promise of peace. Psalm 29:11 says, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Pray that He will do so. Pray for His strength to overcome. Pray for the chains of fear to be broken. Psalm 34:4-5 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
So “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of our 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. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
So let me repeat that all that matters, all that’s lasting, all that will help us get through and heal, and all that will remain in the end is Jesus. Remember that He loves you, is your steady foundation, gives you unshakeable joy, and unending peace. He is with you in the trial & holding your heart closer than ever. Let Him walk with you and heal your heart day by day, moment by moment.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18
"Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" -Isaiah 41:10