Grief Is Not A Moment

We mistakenly think of grief as being a momentary thing, but it's not. It will extend over your whole lifetime. When you grieve the loss of a loved one, it comes in waves. Some moments feel unbearable. You question God, wondering if you did something to have caused this. You did not, it's the fallen sin-filled world we live in. Sin began in the garden where the first man and woman were disobedient to God. Just as you and I fall into rebellion. Sin brought death! Sin brought pain! So therefore, we suffer through grief, death, illness, depression, anxiety and a host of other uncomfortable things. But in the midst of suffering we have hope through Christ. We can still have joy because we know what is promised! Christ has conquered death! Hallelujah and Amen!! So we can be confident that God will be there in the midst of our suffering. We know that God lost a Son to death. And through that death came everlasting life to all who will believe on Christ for salvation. Christ willingly laid down His life. In victory Christ arose from death. This was according to the Fathers will.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, - Ephesians 5:20

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." - John 10:17-18

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? - Romans 8:31-32

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. - Romans 5:6-10

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. - Galatians 1:3-5

 Thanks Pastor John!!