Grief

Grief

MY QUESTION for GOD

How can I help those who are grieving?

A MOMENT with GOD

Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.

Proverbs 25:20

Give your attention, sympathy, and comfort to people who are grieving. Pretending that the pain is not there only adds insult to injury. It is difficult to be with someone who is grieving, but you don’t need to come up with the “right” words to make it all go away—you can’t. Your concern and your presence will help a grieving person more than words.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Proverbs 17:22

Be aware of the toll that grief takes on a person’s spirit, mind, and body. Awareness leads to sympathy; sympathy leads to soothing the wounded; soothing leads to healing.

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15

Be sensitive to others’ feelings. You can feel their sorrow as surely as you can feel their joy. But being too cheerful when others are grieving will only make them feel worse.

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:4

Share your own experiences of how God has comforted you. In doing so you may help others begin the healing process.

I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you.

1 Peter 5:12

Encourage the brokenhearted. Words of comfort can lift up a hurting person.

How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!

Job 21:34

I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are!

Job 16:2

Be careful with the words you say to those who are grieving. Explanations and clichés are rarely comforting. Love, sympathy, and the power of your presence are often more effective. Sometimes the best comfort you can give is just to be there.

DIVINE PROMISE

I WILL BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN YOUR UNFAILING LOVE, FOR YOU HAVE SEEN MY TROUBLES, AND YOU CARE ABOUT THE ANGUISH OF MY SOUL.   Psalm 31:7