This is an actual painting from Designs by SBK
entitled
"Mourning to Joy"
I would love to adapt this as the emblem for this "Journey from Mourning to Joy" so each time I would post this you would know this as the GriefShare study. But because it is a cherished work of art of someone else's
I just wanted to share it and point you that way, if you are a lover of art like I am... I know you'll enjoy the others. Sue (a fellow Minnesotan) shared on this her painting here.
So I will once again use this as the marker of this study:
JOURNEY from MOURNING to JOY ~ WEEK 2: Days 6-10
Once again I have made a change because I can't see posting daily on my GRIEF or on grief in general, because that would bring anyone down instead of turning Mourning to Joy. So I will post this each Monday and if I think there is more to share, I will do so again on Thursday (such as particular questions or responses from "In the Bible" or "In Your Life" applications). God is not finished with me yet and I hope that this will work for any of you that are following this series.
The Bible Verses for this week are:
Day 6 How long will the pain last?
| How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Psalm 13:2 |
| He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 |
| Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30 |
| [After King Saul, his son and Israel’s army were defeated:] Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 2 Samuel 1:11–12 |
| “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26 |
For the 2 QUESTIONS from "In the Bible" and "In your life" applications, please refer to the "Help for the Journey" study.
Perhaps you may like to choose one or more of the questions and answer them in the comments as well. Check for mine and others throughout the week in these comments.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Heavenly Father,
This week as we face our emotions and our questions of grief and our losses, help us to grasp that no matter how long I (we) wrestle with my (our) thoughts and the sorrow that You understand and sent Jesus to teach us how to mourn and be blessed. You send the Holy Spirit as our daily Comforter and have given us a place of rest or a place to express our grief. Help us to get a handle on any anger that may be lingering or that we have vented inappropriately as a result of our anger and not understanding or coping very well. Forgive us and lead us to the person that we may need to make amends. Help us to move forward in our grief, and then to take off the heavy garment of despair or mourning to replace it with Your garment of praise and JOY. You are our JOY and the strength that guides us through each phase and each day. We are not alone for You are in our midst, embracing us, holding our tears and listening to our questions or feelings, using each one to help us cope and have HOPE in Jesus Christ. I thank You Lord, that You never leave us nor forsake us. That Your grace is more than enough. Let the wounds begin to heal, and change our sorrows into new tomorrows filled with JOY and HOPE; strength and comfort that only comes from You and the PEACE You give us. So we give You all the glory, honor and praise in Jesus Name...
Day 1
ReplyDeleteHow long will the pain last?
In the Bible
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Psalm 13:2
1. What questions for God do you have about your grief?
2. How do you feel about being this open and honest in your complaints to God?
In your life
1. What concerns do you have about the length of time you will be grieving?
2. Describe how long you have actually been in the grieving process? (Note: If you’ve been stuffing down or otherwise avoiding your grief, you may not have started the grieving process yet.)
1. What questions for God do you have about your grief?
ReplyDeleteMy biggest questions were/are:
How long? will I grieve?... & more
and WHY?
Why would this person do this? What was bothering him or so desperate to warrant this?
Why did I find him or why did he choose a place where I'd find him?
What can I do with this grief to benefit or glorify God? How can this strengthen me for coping with death?
Most importantly; when he prayed for salvation was he sincere and saved so that he will be in heaven?
How can I bring comfort to his family, his mother when I prefer to not be part of Catholic traditions here nor going to the gravesite but
would like to share about him and allow them to talk about him?
2. How do you feel about being this open and honest in your complaints to God?
God already knows all this, and I have always shared openly and honestly. Yet to share this lets me know He is with me, He carries me when I am not able, He comforts me when I hurt or recall, He helps me through the tearful moments as He gathers my tears or wipes them dry,
He gives me happy memories when I face the painful ones, He reassures me that this too shall pass... He just listens and cares for me with His love and His aMazing grace
1. What concerns do you have about the length of time you will be grieving?
I am fortunate that I'm not officially working and my time is His as He heals me and works me through this one day at a time (some better than others). I'd be concerned if this took an unhealthy turn and I did not catch it before that so I could be home to deal with it rather than isolated here. That I can go or not to be with the family... but that this grieving is standing in the way of me knowing where God wants me now or doing His work or hearing clearly from Him.
2. Describe how long you have actually been in the grieving process?
I actually think that truthfully I was numb and in shock so it took a year or so for me to be able to grieve but I did have episodes scattered in the months right after his death. This study will be the continuation of what the GriefShare emails were helping me to do alone with God. I could say a year and half or I've just faced this when I bought Parrishes book on Grief and decided I needed this study or a support group (but don't have one).
My blog friends and special one's participating in this are my support. Thanks!
God has a season and His timing is always perfect.
I found that this was interesting that it was the Daily Devotional for today shared at the end of my posts (from Heaven Inspirations, written by Randy Chambers)(and since they change the daily reflection, I wanted to keep it here):
ReplyDeleteHEAVEN INSPIRATIONS
Our Daily Devotional:
God Is...
Psalm 144:1-2, NIV: "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me."
With every battle you face, with every trial you endure, within the midst of the most difficult times, God is... God is aware of what you are going through. God is able to understand how it affects you. God is there in the thick of it with you. God is... And because He is, He has provided you with what is needed to take you through. It is certain that you will face your personal giants along the way. But where God is, you have what you need to see beyond the giants; viewing them as miniscule in comparison to the God of all creation. Where God is, there is victory. You may be tired or feel ill-equipped to take on the giant, but God is there, and He is more than able to stand beside you and take you through your difficult time. It may not be His will to lead you away from the battle. It may not be time for you to rest. It may be time instead to more firmly hold your shield of faith, and sword of the truth, and to remember where you are, and to Whom you belong; and that the battle is, and forever shall be, the Lord's.
Add this CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONAL and DAILY DEVOTIONAL to your site
This was my GriefShare email on Tues. 6/14
ReplyDeleteGet a Pet
Day 292
Statistics show that people who have a pet to care for live longer and have fewer health problems. Get a pet. It will become a new area of emotional investment.
"I came home with two schnauzers," says Bruce, whose wife died, "and they have been really good. They've been a lot of work, but I hope that they're learning as much as I am. We're good friends now, and they've helped through the loneliness. They give me something other than pictures and things to talk to. I tell them about my wife."
If you haven't visited a pet store lately, you might be surprised at the variety of animals you can have as pets. Perhaps you aren't a dog or cat person; consider having a rabbit, a lizard, a hamster, or a fish. A pet provides companionship and someone to talk to. (Pets are excellent listeners.) Pick a pet that fits your lifestyle because pets are a responsibility-, but are usually worth the effort!
You might also consider visiting your local animal shelter or dog pound. They are always looking for loving homes for their animals.
Pets are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but it does say, "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal" (Proverbs 12:10).
You may already have a pet. If not, would you pray the following prayer?
Lord, please help me find an animal to take care of. Amen.
*************************
Fortunately I have many dogs for pets and even care for neighbor's pets, but having just added grieving the loss of my dear Bravo, to my grief... 13 yrs. with Bravo, gift from the friend who I'm grieving and given to me the year my dad died and I found out that my beloved dachshund Champion, back home in MN had been run over and died. Bravo was to help me cope with that loss and prepare me for the loss of my dad. Life's valleys sometimes get deeper before God can pull us up above the sadness and loss but there is HOPE and it does happen.
Day 2 - Tues. 6/14/11
ReplyDeleteJesus understands suffering
In the Bible
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3
1. According to the Bible verse above, what did Jesus face during his life on earth?
2. Which of the above experiences have you faced since the death of your loved one?
In your life
1. How is it comforting to know that Jesus was a “man of sorrows”?
2. How often do you tell Jesus about your sorrows?
3. Write a short prayer telling God the difficulties you are facing today.
1. What questions for God do you have about your grief?
ReplyDeleteWhen will it be over? Grief is one of those things that you can't speed up - only time heals. But oh, the agonizing wondering if we'll ever feel normal again. And, of course, grief brings out my "Job" questions - why this? Why now? Why didn't You stop this? Where are you?
2. How do you feel about being this open and honest in your complaints to God?
We might as well be honest with Him. After all, it's not like we're fooling Him with anything. I find it freeing to be able to be totally honest with Him. And I happen to think it's Scriptural - look at David in the Psalms, or the book of Job, or Paul pleading for his thorn to be removed. Look at Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. I believe God wants this type of relationship where we pour our hearts out to Him - the good, the bad, AND the ugly.
1. What concerns do you have about the length of time you will be grieving?
As I said, only time heals. But, for the grieving person, time seems to slow down. Each day can feel like an eternity. And sometimes, when I'm mired in grief, the longer it goes on the more I'm afraid that I might stay there forever...
2. Describe how long you have actually been in the grieving process? (Note: If you’ve been stuffing down or otherwise avoiding your grief, you may not have started the grieving process yet.)
I am not currently *death* grieving - but there are losses in everyday life, too. Loss of health and finances, for example. These are ongoing "grievings" and they are a part of life until we reach Heaven. However, there is comfort in the fact that Jesus promises that these days will seem short compared to the glory of eternity. I hold on to that promise.
GOD BLESS!
1. According to the Bible verse above, what did Jesus face during his life on earth?
ReplyDeleteSorrow, suffering, rejection, disrespect. He faced all of the things that we face. He understands the difficulty of human life.
2. Which of the above experiences have you faced since the death of your loved one?
Sorrow is a consuming fire. This can be a bad thing and a good thing. Obviously, fire can be painful - and grief can hurt like nothing else. But fire can also be a refining process - and God can use even a season of grief to teach us more about Him, and draw us closer to His heart.
1. How is it comforting to know that Jesus was a “man of sorrows”?
Oh my - it is the greatest comfort. Somehow, the image of Jesus being sad brings me peace, but it also makes me sad. Because I know that He felt sad about sin, and the consequences sin brought to the world and the people He created and loved so much!
2. How often do you tell Jesus about your sorrows?
Every time I have them. He hears it all. I cry out to Him with tears and a breaking heart. I know somehow He "gets it."
3. Write a short prayer telling God the difficulties you are facing today.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You know the things that are going on in my life right now. Health issues with family members, financial demands, aging parents, to name a few. You know how hard it is for me to yield my control. And yet, Lord, I know that I have none. I have only the ability to turn to Your Sovereignty, and to rely with my whole heart on Your Goodness. Give me a sense of peace as I wrestle with difficulties. Do not let the fires of strife consume me, nor the floodwaters of pain to overwhelm me. Show me a greater sense of Your Presence as I strive to obey You in this raging storm called life. Teach me to walk on water...
In the most precious name of Your Son, Jesus...AMEN.
GOD BLESS, Peggy - love you!
Day 2
ReplyDeleteHe was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3
1. According to the Bible verse above, what did Jesus face during his life on earth?
Jesus faced being despised, being REJECTED, SORROW and SUFFERING according to Isaiah 53, but of course, we know that He faced much more, anything common to us except SIN but He faced temptation and dealt with it!
2. Which of the above experiences have you faced since the death of your loved one?
Mostly SORROW and a bit of suffering.
I guess one may think that being despised and rejected would be a part of grieving a suicidal death. For me, it has not but in general, in our society, it is just beginning to not carry the social stigma is use to carry. Many felt the need to cover up the death as being something other than suicidal even for insurance purposes. Here, in Mexico, I do not believe that there is rejection just a lot of false beliefs, myths, and practices.
I do know what REJECTION is like but not in this case.
And people also are this way about the loss of a pet... "it's only an animal" etc. This is cruel but to the people who have pets, there is a common understanding and love, as they are part of the family.
Remarks made can seem like rejection but usually they are well intended just not conveyed well.
1. How is it comforting to know that Jesus was a “man of sorrows”? Just in that He knows and understands...
2. How often do you tell Jesus about your sorrows? every single time, if I can voice them and when I can't He knows from my very depths without a word. How wonderful is that!
3. Write a short prayer telling God the difficulties you are facing today
Lord, My current grief comes and goes in waves. I read a dear sister blogger's grief of her daughter today and once again, I felt the pain. As I have answered these questions Lord, You already know the difficulties, even with missing my dear Bravo and all he meant to me. Taking care of my neighbor's dog, in addition to my 3 rejecting him, I'm going a little bonkers, at the way he is destroying everything
and yaps at everything, so for now, this is my biggest difficulty and in comparison to GRIEF like Heather's, it is very small. Yet I believe that even this divergence
is meant to be and for a reason and a season.
I spoke to You Lord as I prepared for this week. And I hear You responding in our midst, with Your warm embrace and listening ear. We each face many losses and death is just the finale (of this world for believers). But again my biggest difficulty in my human grief is whether or not, that person is saved and if they were ever sincere as they prayed, because I heard him pray but I do not know his heart as You do. I do not even know the reason for his departure this way, but You do. Hardly anyone speaks to me about this aspect. To me, that's the most important.Then I think of all the others that are not placing their life and hearts in Your hands, which causes me to grieve in a different way of things not yet.
We both know that it's then that my heart sinks and goes on and on...
There is nothing You can't do yet I struggle so much with the human will, especially the stubborn part.
Oh, Almighty God that we would humble ourselves and bow to You,
accept You and Your will, each person in our families that are distant. This troubles my heart.
I thank You that even as I think on these things, You have something in motion, perhaps today, there is someone that You have placed or a situation to draw them to You and so I trust and believe that You, who began a good work, are faithful and just to complete it. Thank You!
(we will continue this conversation, OK?)I'm well past "short"
my Day 3 ?s and answers
ReplyDeleteIn the Bible
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30
1. Whom does Jesus invite to come to Him?
ME, YOU...all those who are weary and burdened!
2. What can you expect to receive from Him (if you go to Him)?
REST... but He also helps us carry our load making it easy and light
In your life
1. Why do you need the rest and peace that He offers?
I have never asked why to this, because I desire and depend on His Rest and Peace to make it through each day, especially if they are stormy or cloudy, even on full sun days... I need Him and can't imagine how others do without Him.
I lean on Him and learn from Him.
Before I completely answer this, I must pause to make a remark about how in death, we say..."may he/she REST in PEACE"...(RIP)and when we get there we truly will have rest and peace.
"...true peace flows from our King to REVIVE our wilting hearts."
Resting at the feet of Jesus or in His arms is the life of peace. So I guess I need what He offers of rest and peace in order for me to be a peacemaker and be energized for serving and learning of Him.
2. What holds you back from going to the Lord to receive help?
Usually nothing, except if the enemy has me convinced or doubtful
through his lies that put me in a place of shame or guilt, unworthiness and hopelessness, but I search for the Lord's hand to pull me up and I focus on looking for His face and His Words to me/for me. Many years I stuffed rather than be my natural open self
and believed that "I was the problem"...not that I may have had a problem but I was... that lie kept me from going to the Lord and I fear I drifted far from Him in sin, but He reached down and redeemed me with His aMazing Grace and I learned to come to Him. He was my Counselor, my Comforter. He alone led me from those valleys to see Him more clearly and His truths. I sought Him earnestly. In the flesh, I reacted with explosive anger at myself and others like a mine field but eventually I was saved and emptied out, knowing I needed His help to rise after the loss of my youngest brother, which I took the hardest up until this last one.
Day 3
ReplyDeleteA place of rest
In the Bible
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30
1. Whom does Jesus invite to come to Him?
2. What can you expect to receive from Him (if you go to Him)?
In your life
1. Why do you need the rest and peace that He offers?
2. What holds you back from going to the Lord to receive help?
from GriefShare Study