Shattered
Grief is a God-given capacity to deal with loss in a healthy way.
Isaiah 53:3 ESV
3 He was despised and rejected by men,a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;and as one from whom men hide their faceshe was despised, and we esteemed him not.
John 11:35 NIV
35 Jesus wept.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NIV
13 Brothers and sisters, 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. 14 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.
Genesis 6:6 NIV
6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.
God doesn’t guarantee a stormless life, BUT
He does guarantee He will walk with you through it.
Stages of Grief
I. Shock and Anger
Habakkuk 1:1-5 NIV
1 The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. 2 How long, Lord, must I call for help,but you do not listen?Or cry out to you, “Violence!”but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice?Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?Destruction and violence are before me;there is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,and justice never prevails.The wicked hem in the righteous,so that justice is perverted. 5 “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed.For I am going to do something in your daysthat you would not believe,even if you were told.
Questions of Shock and Anger:
- Why, God?
- How long, Lord?
- Where are You?
- What?
Stages of Grief
I. Shock and Anger
II. Denial and Depression
Habakkuk 2:1-3 NIV
1 I will stand at my watchand station myself on the ramparts;I will look to see what he will say to me,and what answer I am to give to this complaint. 2 Then the Lord replied:“Write down the revelationand make it plain on tabletsso that a herald may run with it. 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;it speaks of the endand will not prove false.Though it linger, wait for it;it will certainly comeand will not delay.
Depression - anger turned inward
Stages of Grief
I. Shock and Anger
II. Denial and Depression
III. Acceptance and Healing
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV
17 Though the fig tree does not budand there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop failsand the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the penand no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,he enables me to tread on the heights.For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
