Joy: 37-Day DevotionalSample

It’s a natural response to push away from discomfort, but grief is part of God’s design for our healing. He intentionally gifted us this process to work through our sadness. This pain is necessary to push us beyond the agony of loss and move us closer to God’s design for our life. 

My dearest friend died seven years ago. Enduring her sickness and death was nothing short of agony. The months and years that followed were grueling because of her absence, even though I knew we would spend eternity together. My initial response was to fight my grief, pushing it aside or trying to work quickly through it. Only when a trusted friend reminded me of God’s design for grief was I able to view it as anything other than pointless discomfort. 

It seems counterintuitive to be thankful for grief, but if we look at the process as a God-designed response that allows us to heal, perhaps we can see purpose in our pain. His purpose is to draw us nearer to Him, to comfort us and dry our tears.

We are reminded Jesus was no stranger to grief. Upon learning of the death of Lazarus, He was ‘deeply moved in spirit and troubled’ after seeing Mary and others weep (John 11:33 ). Our pain is known to Him because He experienced it. Our Savior, who knew Lazarus would rise from the dead, still grieved. Our Lord, who is Holy and perfect, wept as He watched others weeping. What a blessing to know our Lord can meet us in our pain because He knew it intimately. 

Even beyond simply enduring our grief, David writes in Psalm 35 that we are to give praise to God for His mercies, to praise Him in front of others for what He has saved us from, and saved us for and brought us through. 

Lord, help me remember Your purpose for my grief as I endure it. I ask for strength as I walk through it, knowing You have a plan for my life. Help me praise You during my pain so others will know of Your goodness. May I sing of Your mercies as I heal.