A friend recently went through a long and extended period of mourning after the loss of his beloved wife of 42 years. During his wife’s extended illness, and subsequent loss many people who really loved him stood by him unable to find words of comfort. After a certain amount of time had passed, I asked him one day about how he was feeling and his reply really made me think, he said “Grief comes in waves.” Like the highs and lows of the tide, grief ebbs and flows slowly but surely. At times it may feel like we are perfectly fine, but at other times it suddenly creeps up on us and handling our emotions becomes difficult. Grief is not restricted simply to the loss of a loved one. You may experience it when you lose out on something that you hold dear. This could be a long-cherished dream, a marriage that has broken down, the loss of a job that you have invested a lot into, or a friendship that has reached a stalemate. Grief indeed comes in waves.

Jesus understood grief, at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, the Bible records that “Jesus Wept” (John 11:35). This is interesting because although Jesus knew that he would and he could reverse the situation by raising Lazarus from the dead, he still wept. This same Jesus understands our pain too! When we go through grief, we don’t have to feel ashamed or put up a brave face – Jesus understands. It is good for us to remember, that as the body of Christ grieving with someone else or even going through grief is an apt response as Jesus Himself went through grief. So, for those going through such situations, let us be shoulder to cry on and the hand to hold onto. For these simple acts of love can speak volumes more than any words can to those who are getting over grief.

The Edge of the Abyss

I sit alone at the edge of the abyss And I am no longer a stranger
To its inky darkness, its unbroken silence
I won’t compel you to come, but if you do, Speak no words, Not even a whisper, Be very still
Reach out and hold my trembling hand
Put an arm around my quivering shoulders
And experience, in some small measure, The profoundness of human suffering
It’s a mystery
It’s a sacrament,
Its deeply spiritual
You may see my broken heart
Broken into a thousand pieces
And in that moment, united in grief, Transcending all human understanding
We find grace and comfort
As we sit, together, as one, On the edge of the abyss

-Noel Berman

If you or someone you know is going through grief share these devotionals with them so that they may find help on their journey.

| Day 1: Seasons of Grief

Last year I received two pieces of extremely sad news within a few hours. First came the news that a dear friend died of a sudden heart attack. Steve, who was only 60 years old, was a good man who loved Jesus and his family.

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| Day 2: Crying for us all

During the American Civil War, General Stonewall Jackson befriended a little girl at a home where he wintered. Five year old Janie Corbin adored Jackson so much that she wore a piece of gold braid in her hair, taken from the general’s hat.

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| Day 3: Into the dark unknown

At the outset of World War II, a man—who would eventually rescue 669 children from Nazi slaughter—helped two Jewish boys secure passage on a train escaping Czechoslovakia. After the war, the boys received a final letter from their parents…

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| Day 4: Everlasting Love

A friend died unexpectedly, leaving behind his wife and several children. I talked with his widow (also a dear friend) just a few days after his death. She was heartbroken, but also amazed that God had already used her husband’s death …

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| Day 5: Life from barren places

My wife and I have numerous friends who’ve struggled to have a baby. They’ve endured multiple trips to doctors, different kinds of infertility procedures and the grief of losing children to miscarriages. It’s obvious how painful…

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| Day 6: A friend in need

Some dear friends of mine lost their little boy, Raphael, to death after just 8 weeks of life. Although my heart broke for them and I longed to be a comfort, I had no idea how to ease their pain…

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