Good Grief! Is Grief good?

 In my youth I often used the Snoopy comics expression of "Good grief!" as my favourite exclamation. 

Once someone stopped me in my tracks by asking:
 "Why do you say that? grief is not good." I was in my teens so did not question my elder.. but now I beg to differ. 

Grief in its own way is good, there is a purpose for good in it.

Yes, this is a very serious topic, but it's one that's been on my heart to share. As some of you know I've had a run of sympathy cards to make. 
Dear friends, precious ones - with whom we've shared many happy experiences over the years, and grown into deep friendship

I also have some very dear friends who've recently lost their deeply loved spouses. 
All these folks are believers in Christ and as believers, followers of the Lord Jesus, and joy! we do have the "blessed hope"(see verse) of His coming and of the resurrection.

The promise of the resurrection and eternal life is by faith alone in our sweet Lord Jesus Christ (not through any good which we've done, as it says in Titus 3).

So is it okay to weep, to sorrow and grieve?

Sometimes we as believers feel bad for feeling sad. 
We should be glad they're in heaven with Jesus!

However it is okay..
... okay to be feeling vulnerable and weepy cos you're mourning, you're hurting for your loss, sorrowing over their passing, but also for hurting over the whole situation for others who have loss too through this..... 

Remember the shortest verse in the bible?

"Jesus wept."  John 11:35

This was because His friend Lazarus was dead. 

This is the conversation in John 11, Jesus with Martha just before v35 before this verse (I've often thought Martha's first comment would've been mine!!)

²¹ Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
²² But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
²³ Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
²⁴ Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
²⁷ She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
                                                            .... .... .... .....
³³ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
³⁴ And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
³⁵ Jesus wept.
³⁶ Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Now Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead...

But in His flesh, in His humanity, in His great sorrow of heart, He wept even though He knew of that joy that was to come.

How much with us, who have this same humanity, but not His omnipotent, omniscient, omnipotent nature???

Don't be down on yourself. God allows us to mourn, He uses it to make us grow closer to Him, to grow more like Him.  To know and love Him better!

 

A poor photo, pre-digital age of a work done for a very dear friend - it is such a great verse. Let us cast our care upon Him, for He cares for us.. but dont use the fishing line trick and pull your burdens back to carry them again... once given to Jesus - leave them there.

Jesus weeps with us, He knows He cares... 

As do I - I weep for those whom I love, who've gone on before me, I weep with those who weep and sorrow with them, it is all part of the healing of a wound... 

And God works in hearts where we see not, in needy hearts and lives and in our own situation. When we reach out to Him - He is our Help, our Guide, our never failing Friend -  and most of all, our Saviour, by simple childlike faith in Him alone for salvation.

I would like to share with you two cards recently made for the passing of a wonderful Christian lady to glory, to be with her Lord whom she loved so much and so well .. dear sweet, precious Sue of the UK. 

May our great God bless everyone who loved her, and keep them in the hollow of His hand and dear Lord, please touch, comfort as only You can all who read this and are grieving, hurting, too.

The recipe of this card can be seen here. Verse is by Stampendous.

The recipe for this card can be seen on this post here.This verse is precious is of those who've gone before by faith in Jesus.
"God Himself shall be with them.. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes".
This from Rev 21:4 talks of the new heaven and those who are there in heaven, where there is no more crying, sorrow or pain, those that are saved walk upon the streets of it (Rev 21:24)    For we sorrow not as those who have no hope..

Every blessing of the LORD everyone where ever you maybe!

Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat.. you are really appreciated and will, God willing, call back to see your lovely work, too!

Shaz in Oz.x

"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:.." Revelation 21:23, 24

I would like to link over to:

Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Roses of Inspiration over at the lovely Stephanie's - no#50!!
http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/roses-of-inspiration-50.html