Each person is different, going through different experiences in this life, and just as everybody has their own way to grieve, we all have different reactions and ways of coping. Our emotions are natural, but sometimes Satan who comes to steal, kill, and destroy can take advantage of the negative ones. Recently, somebody I know was expressing how when they are upset, they don’t want overly-positive or feel-good messages but want to be able to feel heard, express their sorrow, and perhaps indulge in something that is empathetic to the way they are currently feeling like listening to a particular sad song or watching something dark on television. This person is not a believer. For me, I do like to remind myself of what God says or distract myself temporarily with something like a sit-com. I might watch something sad to let some of that out, but then I do like to end with something positive. I don’t know your preferences, but since I noticed many of the previous posts had some good positive encouragement, I thought I’d add some from a different but still Biblical perspective.
Think about Paul in the Bible, who prayed for a “thorn in the flesh” of his to go away, but God answered that His grace is sufficient and didn’t take it away (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). He was beaten and jailed, but kept preaching and singing praises to God. He stated that he knew and had lived in all sorts of circumstances, including hunger and need (Philippians 4:12). He said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me… My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account” (Philippians 1:21-24). “For in this tent, we groan, being burdened… We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:4, 6-9).
If we use Paul as an example, he sometimes was overwhelmed, wrote his letters with tears, and worried about the people he ministered to. He would personally rather be with God in heaven, but he knew that he was doing the Lord’s work down here. He sometimes lived in abundance, but other times had to endure hardship and suffering. We are only promised no more suffering and no more tears in the new heaven and new earth after Christ’s second coming. For now, the whole world is groaning in the labor pangs before his second arrival. There is pain, suffering, and evil in this broken world. Things can become hard and burdensome, but God told us to come to Him with our burdens and the Bible also says to bear one another’s burdens, encourage one another, and build each other up. The fact that you posted here means that though your flesh might be telling you to give up and wish for death, another part of you longs for some comforting words, change, and hope. God is the one that can give us that hope. Whether through His people, Word, or even a particular song at the right place and time… I hope that this current difficult time improves soon and pray that you and others who may stumble upon this don’t give up, but fight those negative thoughts with God’s truth. Satan is the father of lies, don’t listen to him. Light casts out darkness. God’s Word is a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). Please don’t give up. Read the Word, pray, and know that you’re not alone.
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