Overcoming Grief in Times of Loss

 

A compilation

Audio length: 10:45
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Are you currently mourning or grieving the loss of someone you love? Does the idea of getting beyond the pain and sorrow seem impossible to you? Do peace and comfort seem nonexistent or out of reach?

Jesus’ disciples knew what it meant to mourn and grieve. They had seen Jesus crucified and His body laid in a tomb. One day He was with them, and the next He was gone—or so it must have felt. They’d no doubt had their fair share of tests during the three years they had spent with Jesus. But the test they endured right after His death must have been one of the most difficult.

Since their Master had given them plenty of advance warning concerning His betrayal, crucifixion, death, and resurrection on the third day, you’d think they would have felt better prepared to face everything.¹

He had clearly told them, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”² At the time Jesus spoke these words, His disciples hadn’t fully grasped how soon they would be seeing Him. It seems they thought that He meant in the afterlife, not just three days after His death.

When He was crucified and laid to rest, they wrestled with doubt. They had seen their Master perform miracles of resurrection, but now here He was entombed himself.

Mary Magdalene found them in this dejected, melancholic state of mind on Easter Sunday. When she came running to them with the news of finding the tomb empty and seeing an angel who told her that Jesus had risen, at first they didn’t believe her. That is, until Peter and John went and saw it for themselves.³

When Jesus manifested Himself to them, they discovered that He was more than just “alive.” He could do truly amazing things like appear and disappear, even when doors were shut.⁴ Later on, He appeared to a couple of His followers as they traveled from Jerusalem to Emmaus. He conversed with them the whole way there, but they were kept from recognizing Him until later that evening when they were having dinner together.⁵

Through these and many other signs, He convinced His grief-stricken followers that He had indeed been resurrected, and their grief turned to joy, just as He’d told them it would.

This is all well and good, you may be thinking. But how is it supposed to help me get beyond the pain of my own loss?

I know how you must feel. I’m no stranger to the pain of loss myself. My mother passed away in 2004—and dealing with her loss was truly a day-by-day, painstaking process. In an effort to stay “tough” and hide from the pain, I would tell myself, Mom’s gone and that’s that. I’ll see her again, yes, but who knows how long it will be before then? So I may as well tough it out and stay focused on the here and now.

I resigned myself to it for a long time, until it eventually took its toll on me. Thankfully, the Lord and His Holy Spirit began to change my perspective. I studied His Word with an open heart—and realized that we, the followers of Jesus who live today, have just as sure a guarantee of the eventual resurrection of our loved ones who have died as the disciples of old had of the resurrection of Jesus.

Paul says to the Thessalonians, “We do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”⁶

This realization caused a resurrection to take place in my own soul. The joy which I had allowed to die through my own pain and sorrow was coming to life again. And now my joy continues to grow, and I know that nothing or no one can take it from me.

If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one and wishing you could have that same joy, be comforted in knowing that you can. You can ask God to help you to look beyond the pain and emptiness of your loss to the glorious life to come, when all will be renewed, resurrected, and restored. Then will begin a process of renewal, resurrection, and restoration right in your own heart, as your joy is brought back to life.—Steve Hearts

God’s comfort

If you have lost a loved one to death, you know that it is a painful experience. Jesus understood the pain of losing someone close to His heart. In the book of John, we learn that Jesus lost a loved one named Lazarus.⁷ Jesus was deeply moved and wept at the loss of His friend. This story, however, doesn’t end in tears. Jesus knew He possessed the power needed to raise Lazarus from the dead. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”⁸

Jesus overcame death through His resurrection. It is comforting to know that death is not the end for those who believe. Those who know Jesus as Savior will have eternal life.⁹ God has prepared a new home for us where there will be no more death, tears, or pain.¹⁰

Even if we are assured that our loved one is in a better place, we still experience the pain of their absence on earth. It is okay to grieve the loss of your loved one. Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus, even knowing He would bring Lazarus back to life. God is not afraid of our emotions or our questions. We can pour out our burdens on Him and trust in His love to provide us reassurance and comfort.¹¹

We can remember the many good things about our lost loved ones and rejoice in the fact that we were able to share in their lives. We can share stories about the impact our lost loved ones have had on our lives. We might find it comforting to do some of the things our lost loved ones particularly enjoyed or to spend time reminiscing about our lost loved ones with other close relatives and friends. We can also honor their memory by living our lives in a way that brings honor and glory to God.

It is important to remember that God is ultimately the source of our comfort.¹² … The Bible tells us that God is the father of mercies and that He will comfort us in all our tribulations.¹³ Be assured that God loves you and that He understands how much you are hurting. Run to the shelter of the Most High where you will find sweet rest.¹⁴—GotQuestions.org¹⁵

Faithful friend prayer

God of all comfort, please be near me today. Let your strong presence be felt now and in the coming days. The grief of losing my loved one is so heavy on my heart and mind. I pray that you would come and comfort me. Wrap me up in your tender love. It pains me to lose someone so close to my heart. I struggle to understand, but I know that you’ve seen all this in times past. And in your wisdom, you have chosen to take my beloved family member/friend at this time and in this way. Embrace me, O God, and speak words of assurance and comfort by the Holy Spirit. …

Lord, what a faithful friend we have in you. You carry our sorrows and our griefs and our pain. Thank you for the privilege of taking everything to you in prayer. Remind us when we are overwhelmed with the grief of this great loss that we don’t need to forfeit peace or bear needless pain; we can take our troubled hearts to you. There has never been a faithful friend like you, who shares our sorrows and knows our hearts. Thank you, sweet friend. …

Thank you that I am never alone, that your presence calms the troubled sea of my life and speaks peace to my soul. Your word says that my faith will never be put to shame when my trust is in you. Hear my prayer as I ask for comfort in dealing with the loss of my loved one. Help me to find strength and peace in your presence. Restore joy to my soul. Lord, bless me and keep me, make your face shine upon me. Turn your face towards me and give me peace.—ConnectUs¹⁶

Published on Anchor July 2022. Read by Jon Marc.
Music by Michael Dooley.

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¹ See Matthew 16:21, 17:22, 20:17–18; Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:32–34; Luke 9:21–22, 18:31–33.

² John 16:22 NIV.

³ John 20:1–4.

⁴ John 20:19–20.

⁵ Luke 24:13–31.

⁶ 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 NIV.

⁷ John 11:1–44.

⁸ John 11:25–26.

⁹ John 10:28.

¹⁰ Revelation 21:1–4.

¹¹ 1 Peter 5:7.

¹² 2 Corinthians 7:6.

¹³ 2 Corinthians 1:3–4.

¹⁴ Psalm 91:1–2.

¹⁵ https://www.gotquestions.org/lost-a-loved-one.html.

¹⁶ https://connectusfund.org/14-best-comforting-prayers-for-loss-of-a-loved-one.

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Overcoming Grief

 

A compilation

Audio length: 10:58
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How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? …
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.—Psalm 13:1,2,5,6¹

What the Bible says about grief

Grief is an emotion common to the human experience, and we witness the process of grief throughout the biblical narrative. Multiple Bible characters experienced deep loss and sadness, including Job, Naomi, Hannah, and David. Even Jesus mourned.² After Lazarus died, Jesus went to the village of Bethany, where Lazarus was buried. When Jesus saw Martha and the other mourners weeping, He also wept. He was moved by their grief and also by the fact of Lazarus’s death. The astounding thing is that, even though Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, He chose to partake of the grief of the situation. Jesus truly is a high priest who can “sympathize with our weaknesses.”³

One step in overcoming grief is having the right perspective on it. First, we recognize that grief is a natural response to pain and loss. There is nothing wrong with grieving. Second, we know that times of grief serve a purpose. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” This verse implies that grief can be good because it can refresh our perspective on life. Third, we remember that feelings of grief are temporary. “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”⁴ There is an end to mourning. Grief has its purpose, but it also has its limit.

Through it all, God is faithful. There are many scriptures that remind us of God’s faithfulness in times of mourning. He is with us even in the valley of the shadow of death.⁵ When David sorrowed, he prayed this in Psalm 56:8: “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”⁶ The touching image of God catching our tears is full of meaning. He sees our grief and does not disdain it. Like Jesus entered into the grief of the mourners in Bethany, God enters into our grief. At the same time, He reassures us that all is not lost. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “be still” and rest in the knowledge that He is God. He is our refuge.⁷ He works all things together for the good of those He has called.⁸

An important part of overcoming grief is expressing it to God. The Psalms contain numerous examples of pouring out one’s heart to God. Interestingly, the psalmist never ends where he began. He may start a psalm with expressions of grief, but, almost invariably, he will end it with praise.⁹ God understands us.¹⁰ When we commune with Him, we are able to open our minds to the truth that He loves us, that He is faithful, that He is in control, and that He knows how He is going to work it out for our good.

Another important step in overcoming grief is to share it with others. The body of Christ is designed to ease the burdens of its individual members,¹¹ and fellow believers have the ability to “mourn with those who mourn.”¹² Often, the grieving tend to shun others, increasing feelings of isolation and misery. It is much healthier to seek counseling, and group settings can be invaluable. Groups offer listening ears and helpful encouragement, camaraderie, and guidance in working through the grief. When we share our stories with God and others, our grief is lessened.

Sadly, grief is part of the human experience. Loss is part of life, and grief is a natural response to loss. But we have the hope of Christ, and we know that He is strong enough to carry our burdens.¹³ We can give our hurt to Him because He cares for us.¹⁴ We can find solace in the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.¹⁵ In grief, we cast our burdens on Him, rely on the community of the church, delve into the truth of the Word, and ultimately experience hope.¹⁶—From gotquestions.org¹⁷

Living with loss

When my son Steve’s last breath passed his lips early one morning in a small hospital room overlooking the ocean, the world stood still for me. A large yellow butterfly fluttered through the open window, and I felt God reassuring me that He had taken Steve gently to His unseen realm. Still, the impact of losing my son left me in shambles long after everyone else’s mourning had passed.

“Let go and move on” was the well-meaning advice I seemed to get from every side. But where was I to move on to? And how? Deep inside, I felt bitter and angry with God for snatching my vibrant young son from me. I felt cheated and empty. My heart remained heavy as the months dragged by and I pondered my loss again and again.

Eventually I decided to meet God on my porch early each morning to tell Him of my woes. Days stretched to weeks as I poured on Him all my grief, remorse, and anger over what had happened. “If love is the essence of Your nature, as the Bible says, how could You deal so harshly with me and my son?” I asked over and over.

What a patient and longsuffering listener I found.

I cried and pleaded and reasoned, until finally one morning I felt I had said all that I wanted and poured out all my emotions. It was then, when I was willing to make peace with God, that tranquility filled my soul. In a still, soothing voice, God began to speak to my heart. From that point on, my solitary morning porch meetings with God took another direction. I learned to listen to Him and to allow Him to comfort me and heal my pain.—Iris Richard

Billy Graham on suffering and grief

The death of someone we love is still painful to us, even as Christians—not because we fear for them, but because of the empty place they leave behind in our hearts. The Bible says we don’t “grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope”—but we will still grieve.¹⁸

The more we loved someone, the more we will miss them—and the more we will look forward to seeing them again in heaven.

One of the hardest experiences any of us will ever face in life is losing someone we dearly love—and I know it’s especially hard when death comes unexpectedly and we have no opportunity to say a final goodbye.

Perhaps the most important thing I can say to you is that God loves you and understands what you’re going through. When Jesus stood by the tomb of His friend Lazarus, He knew that shortly He would bring Lazarus back to life—but the Bible still says that “Jesus wept.”¹⁹ This is the shortest verse in the Bible, but it reveals a great truth about Christ’s compassion for those who grieve. The Bible says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”²⁰

You will always remember your [loved one], and your grief over his death won’t go away quickly. But in time, your pain will lessen—and God wants to help you in this process. What can you do? First, take time each day to thank God for the years you had together. Thankfulness is like a healing balm to our souls.

Ask God to help you reach out to others who are grieving. They need your encouragement—and you need theirs. Most of all, don’t carry your burden alone, but hand it over to Christ. The Bible says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”²¹—Rev. Billy Graham

(See also: http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/71071/20170703/billy-graham-reveals-important-thing-those-mourning-loss-loved-one.htm.)

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Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4²²

Published on Anchor June 2018. Read by Jon Marc. Music by John Listen.

https://anchor.tfionline.com/post/overcoming-grief/

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¹ NIV.

² John 11:35.

³ Hebrews 4:15.

⁴ Psalm 30:5.

⁵ Psalm 23:4.

⁶ ESV.

⁷ Psalm 91:1–2.

⁸ Romans 8:28.

⁹ Psalm 13; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 30:11–12; Psalm 56.

¹⁰ Psalm 139:2.

¹¹ Galatians 6:2.

¹² Romans 12:15.

¹³ Matthew 11:30.

¹⁴ 1 Peter 5:7.

¹⁵ John 14:16.

¹⁶ Hebrews 6:19–20.

¹⁷ https://www.gotquestions.org/overcoming-grief.html.

¹⁸ 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

¹⁹ John 11:35.

²⁰ Lamentations 3:22.

²¹ Psalm 55:22.

²² NIV.

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On the Death of a Son - The Daily Voice

Dennis Edwards:

I received the following message from the Lord on the way to Bermuda, where my son Martin, nearly 27 years old, had died in a swimming accident. 

Jesus speaking.

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good. Keep trusting Me. Do not look at the waves. Many will be looking to you. Be an example of My love for others. Be concerned for others. Show outward love. Do not worry about the decisions you will need to make. I will raise up counsellors to help you. Look to Me. Let Me put My arms around you. I will hold you up.

 

"Keep seeking Me in prayer. You are going through the valley of the shadow of death. I will be with you to hold you, and give you strength. Be not strong in yourself, but be strong in Me. Call out to Me and I will help you. Be gentle, be kind, be understanding. Do not let thoughts of regret and condemnation enter your mind. Use the weapon of praise. Be thankful for the things your loved one will not have to suffer in this life. The Indian proverb is to cry when a child is born knowing he will suffer in life, and to rejoice when he dies as his suffering ceases. 

"Real life begins after death, where heartaches cease, and trials will be no more. Trust in these eternal promises which have held up My children from the beginning of time. Fight the good fight of faith. The present trying of your faith should bring out the dross that your faith be as pure goal. Lift up the hands that hang down. Rejoice for ever more that another of My children has entered into the Eternal Now to be with Me for eternity, Heaven is where time will be no more and where love reigns in the hearts of men. Call upon My promises of supply for your needs. I have said that I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Be a faithful witness.

"Pray for your family member who will be meeting you. I love him dearly. Be a brother to him and love him as you would your own brother. Be cheerful. Spend the needed quality time with Me. Plan your day, but be open to the changes I bring your way. Tomorrow, you will need to speak to the company where your son worked and to the police. I will raise up an angel to help you. Trust in Me. As a father pities his children, so I pity those that love Me. 

"I am the author and finisher of the life of each of My children. I give life and I take it. Trust not in yourself. Say not, "Tomorrow I will do this or I will do that," but rather say, "If the will of the Lord be, I will do this or that." The day is far spent. The night is at hand. Judgement must first start at the house of God. If the righteous scarcely be saved, what will become of the ungodly. Trust in Me. I am holding you in My arms. I am holding your son also in My arms. You need not worry, only trust in Me."

Originally published March 1, 2012

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La vida del misionero João (Adão) David

João David (Adam) - Foto tomada aproximadamente en 2016

João David (Adam) nació el 16 de octubre de 1947 en Vila Meã, Amarante, Portugal. Tenía tres hermanos y dos hermanas. Solo su hermana menor sigue viva y vive en una residencia de ancianos en Gaia/Oporto. Su madre falleció cuando él tenía catorce años, a los cincuenta. Su padre falleció a los 78. El vehículo que usaba para vender frutas, verduras y pan fue atropellado por un tren.

João estudió en una escuela católica con el objetivo de ser sacerdote. Sufrió abusos por parte del director del seminario mientras aún estudiaba, a los catorce años. Nunca llegó a ser sacerdote. Fue reclutado en el ejército después del bachillerato, durante las guerras de independencia africanas. Al regresar de la guerra en Mozambique, se unió al Partido Comunista de Marx y Lenin y se convirtió en ateo. Su novia trabajaba para la policía secreta. João trabajaba como asistente de un contable en Oporto. 

João conoció el cristianismo gracias a dos adolescentes, Ana Gloria y Zé de Campanhã. Ellos tenían dieciséis años y él veintisiete. Era 1974. Lo llevaron a una reunión en el Parque Porto. Se convirtió y pronto se unió a la comunidad local del movimiento de Jesús People desde América. Dejó su trabajo para dedicarse por completo a los estudios cristianos y a la evangelización. Su familia no estaba contenta. Con la ayuda de la policía local, allanaron la local de la comunidad. Su hermano estaba armado con una pistola. João se entregó y fue trasladado a un centro de salud mental a petición de la familia.

Un mes después, fue dado de alta con el consentimiento de los médicos y su familia. En el centro, los médicos le preguntaron: "¿Qué haces aquí?". Al salir, João recogió sus pocas pertenencias y se dirigió a Lisboa.. Pronto encontró a algunos miembros del movimiento de Jesús People distribuyendo literatura cristiana y se le permitió unirse al centro de formación cristiana de la comunidad.

Joâo testificó y distribuyó literatura cristiana en Portugal y España. Se casó con una joven que había traído para recibir al Señor en Braga. Él tenía 27 años y ella solo 18. Juntos viajaron a Brasil, donde muchos miembros del movimiento de Jesús People fueron para cumplir con Marcos 16:15: «Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criatura». La vida en Brasil en ese momento no era fácil para João y su esposa. Enfrentaron dificultades y se separaron. Joâo se dedicó de todo corazón a difundir la palabra de Dios y a ganar almas.

João vivió unos 13 años en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, principalmente en Santa Catarina. Durante ese tiempo, visitó unas 1000 ciudades de la región. Él y un amigo realizaron viajes de distribución con cintas y videos. Los distribuía en escuelas y oraba con los estudiantes. Muchas veces viajaba y dormía toda la noche para llegar a una ciudad y comenzar la distribución. Deseaba desesperadamente agradar a Jesús y dar su vida por él.

Era amigo de todos y tenía pocos enemigos. Un amigo portugués me dijo el otro día que João era uno de esos pocos hermanos verdaderos que servían de verdad a Jesús y a los demás. No tenía plataforma. No tenía segundas intenciones. No tenía intenciones ocultas. No se autopromocionaba ni hacía nada de lo que decía o hacía. No quería tu dinero. Era un ejemplo de humildad. Siempre citaba ese dicho: «Si crees que eres humilde, acabas de demostrar que no lo eres».

Trabajé con Joâo durante los últimos 27 años. Hace 27 años, Joâo adoptó a mi familia como suya. Mi esposa y yo teníamos nueve hijos en ese entonces, cuando nació el menor. Fue precisamente en ese momento que João vino a vivir con nosotros. Nos acogió en su ministerio y nos ayudó a criar a nuestros hijos, usando su donativo para recaudar fondos para nuestro beneficio y por el beneficio de nuestro trabajo.. No le ocultó nada al Señor y dio todo lo que tenía. Poco antes de fallecer, me dio los 350 euros que tenía ahorrados para emergencias.

Durante los últimos 11 años, recibió una pensión. Salvo los veinte euros que guardaba para sí y las donaciones que enviaba a diversos proyectos misioneros, donaba todo. Antes de jubilarse, distribuíamos globos en centros comerciales llenos de DVD, pósteres y libros infantiles. El Señor usó a João como la base financiera de nuestro hogar y para apoyar los diversos proyectos humanitarios y misioneros con los que estábamos comprometidos. Creía en Hechos 2:44-45: «Todos los creyentes estaban juntos y tenían todo en común. Vendían propiedades y posesiones para dar a quien tuviera necesidad». No ocultó nada. Se lo entregó todo a Dios.

En los últimos años, apoyó a unos amigos en Brasil que tienen un programa de radio cristiano. Los ayudaba fielmente cada mes. Ese era João (Adão), siempre ayudando a los demás. No podía enviar dinero a Brasil. ¿Qué hizo? Oró y le pidió al Señor que le enviara a alguien con una aplicación brasileña que pudiera realizar la transferencia. Durante el último año, Junior, un brasileño, lo hizo. João le dio a Junior 10 euros por su trabajo. Recientemente, Junior me contó que él y su esposa estaban muy tristes por la muerte de Joâo. Aunque lo conocían desde hacía poco, dijeron que João les había impactado profundamente.

Hace unos años, una joven pareja vino a nuestra casa preguntando por Joâo. Se habían mudado a Braga durante un año porque necesitaban un cambio. Normalmente, João los visitaba una vez al mes para entregarles la revista mensual «Contato». Como hacía tiempo que no los visitaba, vinieron a nuestra casa, a 10 kilómetros, para ver si estaba bien. Así era como João impactaba a la gente. Amaba sinceramente a Jesús y quería transmitirlo a todos sus conocidos. No era arrogante ni se autopromocionaba. Su constante relación con el Señor tenía un efecto tranquilizador en quienes lo rodeaban.

Tenía una lista semanal de vigilias de oración, donde, ciertos días, oraba por ciertas personas o problemas que enfrentábamos. A los setenta y cinco años, memorizó el Salmo 103. No sé cómo lo logró. Repasó los versículos bíblicos que había memorizado y aún recordaba muchos salmos y capítulos de memoria. Era demasiado bueno para nosotros y partió gozoso hacia su recompensa celestial.

Una de las últimas cosas que le dijo a su amigo David, quien lo visitaba en el hospital mientras yo no estaba allí, fue: «Da testimonio de esa señora de allí», señalando a la mujer en la cama junto a él. A mi esposa, le dijo: «Cuida al gato». Ese era João siempre preocupado por las necesidades de los demás, especialmente de los más humildes, todos aquellos que el Señor puso en su camino. Salía a pasear y regresaba a casa con un testimonio de cómo había guiado a alguien hacia Dios.

La Biblia dice: «Si el grano de trigo no cae en tierra y muere, queda solo; pero si muere, da mucho fruto». Ese es el efecto que la muerte de João tuvo en mí. Me estoy dando cuenta de que soy más valiente. Tengo convicciones más firmes de orar con otros, de hablar y testificar del Señor. Quiero ser un mejor ejemplo del amor de Jesús. Quiero ser más como João, quien reflejó a Jesús de tantas maneras. Que Dios bendiga su alma al recibir la corona que Dios tiene reservada para él y para todos los que creen y esperan su venida.

Mi amiga María Rolanda me llamó y me dijo que había tenido un sueño con João. Él enfatizó que no suele recordar ningún sueño. Vio un hermoso trono azul con Jesús sentado en él. Y allí estaba João, sentado a los pies de Jesús.

Muy bien, João. Muy bien. Has entrado en el gozo de nuestro Señor. Todo el tiempo pensé que te estaba enseñando, pero en realidad, fuiste tú quien con paciencia me enseñó. Hasta mañana, João si Dios quiere. Hasta mañana. Como diría João: «Hasta mañana, si Dios quiere, hasta mañana».

Gracias, Jesús, porque João (Adão) fue un buen ejemplo de cómo debe ser un seguidor tuyo. Ayúdanos a seguir sus pasos y a considerar a los demás superiores a nosotros. Danos la humildad que el Señor le dio a João (Adão).

Si buscas soluciones a tus problemas, João (Adão) quiere que sepas que una relación íntima con Jesucristo es todo lo que necesitas. Jesús dice: «Clama a mí y te responderé».

Oración: «Querido Jesús, clamo a ti. Necesito soluciones a mis muchos problemas. Ya no puedo con tanto solo. Ayúdame. Ayúdame a lograr esa relación personal contigo que me falta. Entra en mi corazón y en mi vida y dame la dirección que necesito. Amén».

O quizás necesites una oración de renovado compromiso: «Jesús, me he dejado distraer por las preocupaciones de este mundo y la ilusión de las riquezas. Por eso he dejado de lado mi espada, tu Palabra. Me entrego de nuevo a ti. Renuévame con la alegría de mi salvación. Dame la valentía que necesito para volver a ser uno de tus seguidores más cercanos. En tu precioso nombre, Jesús, te lo ruego.Amén.»

En diciembre de 2025

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Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. The Daily Voice - January 27

 

The Daily Voice - January 27

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15

Do we really weep with them that weep? Are we really touched with the feeling of our friend’s loss of a close loved one in death? Do we really feel the emotional turmoil he’s going through? Even the condemnation of heart and mind he may be experiencing? Do we have hearts of flesh so that we can extend compassion to others in their moments of difficulties? Or are we stone-hearted, and can’t empathize with those in need of emotional support?

I recently have gone through the loss of a close friend. We worked together for twenty-seven years. I probably spent more time together with him in those years, than with my wife. When he fell into a coma after a period of dementia, I was emotional destroyed. We just needed to clean up his urinary tract infection and he would be fine. His dementia would clear up and he’d be back to normal. But it didn’t work out that way.

He stayed in a coma and died eleven days later. Was it the hospital’s fault? He had been moved on a Friday to another hospital. He was off the drip it seems during the weekend. He wasn’t eating or drinking. Were they giving him the medication for the infection? Was his death a result of medical failure?

I was already battling my own failures in not realizing the seriousness of my friend’s sickness. I thought he had sudden dementia, when in fact his sudden behavioural change was due to the urinary tract infection. Cleaning up the infection could bring him back to normal. But the infection didn’t get cleaned up, or so we think, and now he’s gone,

How can we make it through moments like these? Our own conscience or self-talk is accusing us of wrong doing, of neglect, of missing the mark. Where do we find the strength to carrying on when we seem incapable of picking ourselves up?

Jesus has promised to be with us in our moments of distress. He said He would be with us to the end of the world. He told us to be encouraged because He has overcome the world and defeated death. We should be of good cheer. He has gotten us the victory. But how can we be of good cheer, when our emotions are swirling like a tornado and the accusations are coming against us like a tsunami?

He said He would be with us through the waters and they would not overwhelm us. He told us we would be more than conqueror through Him who loves us. But how do we find His love when we are fainting within and hearing to the lying vanities of the enemy?

We know intellectually that we need to use praise and thanksgiving. We know that praise and thanksgiving and pouring out our hearts before the Lord will bring release. But during those moments, praise and thanksgiving seem impossible. We’re drowning in guilt and grief over the loss of our loved one. How does God break through?

He’s promised to. He said he would carry us through the storm, strengthen us and uphold us. But how does he do it? Apostle Paul has written that God would comfort us in all our tribulation. He himself had experienced plenty of tribulation. But he was able to say with confidence that God would deliver him from whatever trouble he faced, because he trusted not in himself, but in God who raises the dead.

When Jesus arrived a Lazarus’ tomb, what happened? Martha greets Jesus with an accusation. Her family had sent a message to Jesus some days before that Lazarus was sick. Jesus had stayed in that place and did not arrive at the gravesite until Lazarus was dead for four days. Martha says to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.” Mary makes the same accusation when she sees Jesus.

The text of the Bible tells us that as Jesus saw Mary weeping, and Lazarus’ friends weeping, He also wept. “Jesus wept.” And the people said, “Behold how He loved him.” Jesus’ weeping with those that were weeping showed he was feeling how they felt. He was experiencing their sorrow, empathizing with them, while the same time showing compassion.

In the past week, what has helped me in the most tangible manner over the emotional roll-a-coaster I’ve been on, has been the love I have been shown by friends and family. Some of the people I least expected to, who I wasn’t especially close to, were capable of saying the right thing or of showing or giving me the love and encouragement I needed.

Some of my close friends disappointed me. While others not so close surprised me. God can use whoever is willing and available and sensitive enough to His Holy Spirit. He promised that He will comfort us. He promised that He will not leave us comfortless. He promised that He will come to us. For me, He did just that and fulfilled His promise to me.

He did it through the sweet messages I received by WhatsApp. He did it through the phone calls I received from loved ones and friends. He did it through the financial support raised to help cover the costs of the funeral. He did it also through His word to which I sought to for love and encouragement. He did it through the personal love and emotional support I received from those around me.

Jesus was accused of being responsible for one of his closest friends and supporters’ death. But He wept with them that wept. He had preached that blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. In the psalms we read, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. You have turned my mourning into dancing. You have put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness,” Psalm 30:5b&11.

Surely that was the case for Mary and Martha when Lazarus was raised. Though I’m not 100%, I’m trusting that God will bring me the victory and restore to me the joy of my salvation. It’s the joy of the Lord which is our strength. The Lord Himself is our strength. In quietness and confidence shall be our strength. In other words, by getting quiet with the Lord in prayer, meditation, and reading of His word, He will fill us with the strength we need. “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”

He will not leave us comfortless. He will come. Hold on to Him and hold on to those around you that need His comfort. For we are His hands, and His feet, and His arms, and His tongue, and His mouth. Let us use our members as His members to comfort, strengthen, and love one another.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you are called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15

“And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Through all these things He wants to transform our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh which He can use to be instruments of His love and truth to others.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26.

Let our hearts be circumcised that we may love, comfort, and strengthen one another as He would do. "As I have loved you, that you also would love one another." John 13:34b

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Alexander's Last Wish

 

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Quotes on Suffering, Death, and Dying

 

Book Recommendation on Suffering, Death, and Dying

O Death, Where Is Your Sting? Classic Sermons on Dying in Christ and Our Heavenly Hope by Charles Spurgeon. 150 pages.

See more recommended books: 15 of the Best Christian Books on Grief, Death, and Suffering

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Some of the Best Comforting Quotes about Suffering, Death, and Dying in Christ

Never fear dying, beloved. Dying is the last, but the least matter that a Christian has to be anxious about. —Charles Spurgeon

A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears. ― Charles Spurgeon

How awful to die out of Christ! How blessed to die in Christ! —William Tiptaft

The pain felt upon the departure of loved ones from this life will generally mirror the joy we felt while they remained with us. — Sam Storms

You don’t really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. —Timothy Keller

Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny. — C.S. Lewis

Man is made capable of three births: by nature, he enters into the present world; by grace, into spiritual light and life; by death, into glory. —John Newton

Thus we spend our years with sighing: it is a valley of tears, but death is the funeral of all our sorrows. —Thomas Watson

Let us consider this settled, that no one has made progress in the school of Christ who does not joyfully await the day of death and final resurrection. – John Calvin

It is in weeping that we learn to contemplate the goodness of God. It is in mourning that we discover the peace of God that passes understanding. — R.C. Sproul

Displaying the glory of the grace of God is the point of suffering. —John Piper

Often we say that Christ will meet us on the other side. That is true, of course, but misleading. Let us never forget that He walks with us on this side of the curtain and then guides us through the opening. We will meet Him there, because we have met Him here. – Erwin Lutzer

A Christian funeral should be a coronation ceremony, a statement to the world about eternal life. – Billy Graham

Depend upon it, your dying hour will be the best hour you have ever known! Your last moment will be your richest moment, better than the day of your birth will be the day of your death. It shall be the beginning of heaven, the rising of a sun that shall go no more down forever! – C.H. Spurgeon

Never fear dying, beloved. Dying is the last, but the least matter that a Christian has to be anxious about. Fear living – that is a hard battle to fight, a stern discipline to endure, a rough voyage to undergo. —C.H. Spurgeon

God will allow evil only to the degree that it brings about the very opposite of what it intends. ― Timothy Keller

Oh, the sweet life of a Christian that hath made his peace with God! He is fit for all conditions: for life, for death, for everything. —Richard Sibbes

…fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet, and Christian joy is greatest, even when the cross is heaviest. —J.I. Packer

Those who understand God’s sovereignty have joy even in the midst of suffering, a joy reflected on their very faces, for they see that their suffering is not without purpose. — R.C. Sproul

Jesus holds the keys to death, and Satan cannot snatch those keys out of His hand. Christ’s grip is firm. He holds the keys because He owns the keys. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. That includes all authority over life and death. The angel of death is at His beck and call. —R.C. Sproul

The proper epitaph to write for the Christian believer is not a dismal uncertain petition, ‘R.I.P.’…but a joyful and certain affirmation ‘C.A.D.’ (‘Christ abolished death’). —John Stott

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