Grief In This World
5John 15:26-16:33
Dan and I had been married about six weeks when my "rose colored glasses" smashed into a zillion pieces. I thought I knew marriage would be hard, but I didn't expect it to be THIS hard. This many tears. Missing my family and friends this much. This lonely... My shame over not being perfectly happy with the man I loved made things even worse.
Remember the audio program "Adventures in Odyssey?" It was a radio program produced by Focus on the Family where characters were transported back into Bible Times. If I was transported back to the time just before Jesus was crucified and I was with the disciples, I would be starting to get worried by how Jesus is talking in this passage. "I am going away" (16:7), "You will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me" (16:16) "You will weep and mourn" (16:20). The disciples couldn't ignore the fact that "grief" was headed their way. Not only that, but Jesus was talking about leaving them. Alone in grief- worse than grief itself.
Not many things in my own life have come easily. Not much "falls into place" for Nicole. And I know some people who appear to have the opposite experiences in life. Dating and marriage appear to be easy. Pregnancy was a breeze. Their kids seem to be perfect angels. Jobs and money just... work out! That's just not me. And I'm learning to be okay with that BECAUSE of how Jesus finishes his discussion with the disciples right here.
"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Hallelujah and amen! Things may not come easily to me. I have traveled through the grief. Have you? But in Jesus I can have peace. Jesus has overcome those trials, those difficulties, those pains, the WORLD. As I travel through the current season of my life, if I focus on the grief, I'll drown in it. I've got to keep my eyes on Jesus, my overcomer. I want to accept that there is joy and peace and I want to claim that for myself. And I hope you will too. God Bless.
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5 Comments
Kathi Hoever Mar 23, 2018 @ 6:46 pm
Reminds me of
No Jesus No peace
Know Jesus Know peace !!!!
Robert Gray Mar 22, 2018 @ 11:54 am
Yes! Glory be to God often times we focus on the outcome of a situation and it pigeon holds our consciousness. When you focus on Jesus in tough times , and lean on him when you feel alone. He can reveal to you the blessing of being in the moment where you are right now. It's not easy to train your brain to think that way but I'll be a witness that it does get easier and that all things are possible through Christ which strengthens me.
Camille King Mar 22, 2018 @ 9:14 am
those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Thank you Nicole. You are strong, beautiful and inspire us because you are a living example of resting and receiving your strength from Him.
Rita A MacIntosh Mar 22, 2018 @ 8:57 am
Nicole
So very true, I have walked the same path and it almost consumed me,
but Jesus truly saved me, and showed me the way to overcome obstacles
in my life. I'm not saying that my life has become easy, but the meaning of
it has become real.
Marlene Dunton Mar 22, 2018 @ 8:29 am
Hi Nicole. Well said. I have been through a season of grief myself. The only thing that got me to where I am today is JESUS AND HIS Promise to "never leave me or forsake me." I hold on to His promises always. Love and prayers to you and your lovely family always. ❤