Day 3

“It’s impossible to weigh my misery and grief!” (Job 6:2, CEV)

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:22-23, NIV)

“For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.” (Psalm 31:3, ESV)

It’s not supposed to be this way.

The strong feelings associated with grief are a way for our heart, mind, and body to protest the death and loss of our beloved animal. You loved your pet; you shared your life with them. You likely shared more of your true self with your pet than with most people. Your relationship was no less powerful because it was with an animal. In fact, it was likely deeper because it was with an animal. An animal who loved you on your best day, just as much as they loved you on your worst. An animal who was as impressed by your morning breath and bedhead as they were when you got all dressed up. An animal who simply wanted to be near you.

Your love for your pet was deep—and so is your heart’s protest over losing them.

If your loss feels unjust and wrong—that’s because it is. Death is just one more piece of evidence that things are not as they should be. If your pet was sick or suffering before their death, you likely felt your heart protest at the unfairness of their condition. Sickness, suffering, injustice, trauma, malice, hunger, death . . . none of that was part of God’s original design for his creation. All of creation bears the wounds and scars of sin. And all of life is waiting for the day when God will make all things new, and when death itself will be no more (Revelation 21:4). But until that day, our hearts—and all of creation—will continue to protest death, loss, and pain.

But one day—one beautiful, wonderful, heart-restoring day—Jesus will right every wrong. He will renew what was broken, restore what was lost, and redeem every heartbreak. We can hold onto the promise of that day and let it point our hearts toward hope, even as we grieve the loss we feel now.

So let’s grieve and feel and protest, but let’s do so with hearts that yearn for the day when God will make all things right. And as we wait, we can trust in God’s love and lean on each other.

When you’re ready . . .

Where in your body do you feel your grief? What thoughts are on constant replay? What images do you keep seeing? If you’re able, sit with your grief for a few minutes and ask it to speak to you. Record what you receive and consider sharing that with a trusted friend.

Prayer

Lord, I long for the day when you will fix all that is broken and restore all that was lost. Help me to trust you as I wait for that day.