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Healing Scriptures For Dealing With Grief
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Healing Scriptures For Dealing With Grief
In 1995, I lost my oldest son to AIDS. We met David when he was six years old and he moved into our house as a foster child on his 7th birthday. We eventually adopted him. He had been severally abused and accepted our love right away.
He accepted Christ about a year after he moved in. He was smart, cute, talented, and loving. Everyone liked him. He grew to love music and was a talented piano player and singer. When he became a teenager, he began to have difficulties. The difficulties evolved into lies, drugs, alcohol, theft, promiscuity, and many other things. We did everything we knew to help him. Nothing seemed to work. I begged God to help David return to him.
God eventually answered that prayer but it took a while. His answer was a perfect one but it broke my heart.
David became addicted to the very same drug that his biological mother was addicted to. He lived on the streets. He was gay and promiscuous. He was in and out of jail. Many people tried to help him. He contracted AIDS and became sick. He finally hit a bottom and reached for help.
During the last year of David's life, he returned to God. He was active in a 12-step program and stayed drug and alcohol free. He reestablished ties with us and we had a wonderful year. I have one special gift from him for every holiday of the year. He knew it would be his last. David was a loving son during that year.
When he died, I grieved him deeply. I grieved the child he was. I grieved the man he eventually became. I grieved the man he was on the way to becoming.
I went to the scriptures. I found a series of scriptures that led me from grief to joy. About 6 months after he died, I went into a private season of prayer that lasted for several weeks. It was during that time that I found these scriptures.
I now see how God answered my prayer in a perfect way. David is in heaven. He is healthy and free. He doesn't have to struggle with drug cravings or guilt. He knows perfect love.
I am meeting people along the way who are dealing with grief. God has lifted my grief and restored my joy. I know it is possible for them as well. I am sharing the scriptures that helped me find my way. If you are dealing with grief, I pray that you will turn to the healing scriptures for relief.
I. GRIEF
EVERYONE HAS A “TURN FOR GRIEF”
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 16:22
WE CAN EXPECT DIFFICULT TIMES
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering. 1 Peter 4:12
TAKE TIME TO GRIEVE
My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice rides to God, and He will hear me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness: My soul refused to be comforted. When I remember God, then I am disturbed; When I sigh, then my spirit grows faint. Thou hast held my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, The years of long ago. I will remember my song in it; I will mediate with my heart; And my spirit ponders. Psalm 77:1-2
CRYING HELPS
Cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14
II. ATTITUDES AND EMOTIONS
ANGER IS A HEALTHY PHASE OF GRIEF - GOD CAN HANDLE OUR ANGER
Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. John 11:32
DON'T GIVE IN TO SELF PITY - DECIDE TO HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Though the fig tree may not blossom, .yet I will rejoice in the Lord. Habakkuk 3:17-18
FIGHT THE DEMON OF DISCOURAGEMENT
And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9
DON'T ALLOW RESENTMENT - RESENTMENT IS A KILLER
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15
UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN DEATH IS NOT AN ACCIDENT
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15
III. ASKING FOR HELP
JESUS UNDERSTANDS WHEN WE ASK FOR HELP
My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Matthew 26:39
IT IS OK TO BE WEAK - THROUGH WEAKNESS THERE IS STRENGTH
I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
TELL OTHERS WHEN WE HURT
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Psalm 25:16
LEAN ON OTHERS
Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
IV. GETTING THROUGH ONE DAY AT A TIME
DO THE WORK OF TODAY
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Colossians 3:23
FIND THE MIRACLES
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
REJOICE IN THE DAY
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24
FIND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men. Galatians 6:10
TALK ABOUT OUR DARKEST MOMENTS
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight. Matthew 10:27
FULFILL OUR MINISTRY
Endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
HAVE FAITH - FAITH MAY BE ALL WE HAVE
Walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
SLOW DOWN
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
DO THE WORK OF THE LORD
God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. Genesis 41:52
TAKE REFUGE
He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in Him I will trust. Psalm 91:2
V. OTHERS WHO ARE SHARING YOUR PAIN
ACCEPT HOW OTHER’S GRIEVE
But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13
FORGIVE THOSE WHO DISAPPOINT US
Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
OUR DIFFICULT PEOPLE DESERVE OUR LOVE AND HELP
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40
TAKE AND GIVE COMFORT
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
USE GOD - GOD WILL HELP US LEAD
Give me wisdom and knowledge that I may lead. 2 Chronicles 1:10
VI. PRAYER
THE SERENITY PRAYER
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can,
And the Wisdom to know the difference.
Acceptance
My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Thy will be done. Matthew 26:42
Courage
Be strong and do not loose courage, for there is reward for your work. 2 Chronicles 15:7
Wisdom
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; Discretion will guard you. Proverbs 2:10-11
FIND A PLACE FOR EXTENDED PRAYER TIMES
And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12
LIVE IN A SPIRIT OF PRAYER
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
PRAY FERVENTLY
And being in agony He was Praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. Luke 22:44
VII. OVERCOMING
BELIEVE GOD WILL HEAL
O Lord my God, I called you for help and you healed me! Psalm 30:2
BELIEVE GOD GIVES STRENGTH
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
BELIEVE WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
BELIEVE A PROMISE: GOD’S GLORY WILL BE REVEALED THROUGH US
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
BELIEVE IN THE HOPE IN HEAVEN
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death. Revelation 21:4
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