“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

The kingdom of darkness has been causing grief, increasingly attacking people’s health, marriages, and lives. Tragedy, unfortunate events, accidents, unexpected deaths, failed surgeries, divorces, terrorism, violence and the likes, seem to be on the increase in these last days. In Luke 21:10-11 Jesus tells us, “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”

In an unpredictable world, where the only assurance and refuge we have is Christ, we must strengthen our hearts and prepare ourselves to be a source of hope and strength to those who are grieving.

Grief is a heavy burden on the soul. It sickens the heart and causes discouragement and depression. It makes life seem dark and the future bleak. Grief is so bad that it can make people blame or hate themselves for past mistakes. It can cause illness and health-related problems. It paints a false picture of God and life. Grief exaggerates negative circumstances and often causes people to doubt the existence of God or to question his love and sovereignty.

Grief is a heavy burden on the soul, but God offers us hope. #hope 

From the Beginning, It Was Not So

Grief, like other evils in the world today, was not part of God’s intention for his creation. It was not created by God, so it can never come from God. Grief is alien to God’s creation and must not be entertained, whether in our lives or that of our loved ones. God is a loving Father who delights in giving peace, joy, and health to His children.

Job, a righteous man, had a terrible experience with grief. (See Job 1:13-19.) This man lost all his children and all his property in a single day! The Bible clearly records that this was as a result of the wickedness of the devil. But Job, being a man of great understanding, never cursed God, but he “fell to the ground, and worshipped God” (Job 1:20-22). He knew that mourning and complaining will never make the situation better, rather it would make it worse.

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4 Causes of Grief

Death of loved ones

When people lose their loved ones to death, they often tend to think it will be almost impossible to live without the deceased.

Divorce

This is a hurting experience for both partners in a marriage covenant. It is also very hurting for the children.

Loss of a very valuable asset

Losing homes, for instance, to fire, accidents, earthquakes and floods are quite devastating.

The devil

Satan is desperate to make humanity miserable and he delights in causing grief, sorrow and pain for humanity.

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4 Cures for Grief

Hope

“We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

Joy

“Though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

Prayer

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Praise

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields shall yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17,18

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3 Steps to Comfort a Grieving Loved One

“Bear one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Affirm the love of Christ to them, in word and in deed.

Don’t just say it, do it. No matter what the situation is and how bad it may appear, the devil is behind it. But praise God, for he surely knows how to make things turn out for good, as we keep looking to him and trusting him.

Romans 8:35, 37 tells us, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.”

Pray with them and pray for them continually.

Offer a prayer of faith, hope and joy. It’s best to pray for them in the Spirit, because we do not really know how they feel in their hearts. Proverbs 14:10 says, “The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.”

Pray by the guidance of the Spirit of God, asking God to strengthen them and fill their hearts with his unshakeable peace, abiding joy and steadfast hope. Earnest prayers offered to God on behalf of those in need never go unanswered.

The Holy Spirit of God alone knows the measure of their grief and heaviness of heart, because he searches the heart. Therefore, your prayers for a grieving loved one are only effective if spoken by the help of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27 states, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our infirmities, for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Give them reasons to rejoice!

There is strength in joy. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “…do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Don’t talk about what caused their grief but rather give them hope. Don’t be sorrowful around them and don’t wear a sad look. Rejoicing in the Lord removes blankets of depression and destroys grief and sorrow.

A sure way to rejoice in the Lord is to sing praises to him. It works every time. Singing to the Lord and magnifying him puts the devil away. It charges the atmosphere with God’s presence and gives you strength for a fresh start. Yes, you can have great strength for the journey ahead!

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Angela Lowe, MS. Ed., LPC
Angela Lowe is a licensed Professional Counselor, trained Biblical Counselor and certified Holistic Health Coach. Her kingdom mandate is to restore God’s counsel to transform lives, marriages, and churches worldwide.