JOURNEY from MOURNING to JOY ~ WEEK 2: Days 6-10
The Bible Verses for this week have been:
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 also. Check for mine and others throughout the week in the comments of the "JOURNEY from Mourning to JOY" posts (on Mondays usually). Because the comments were getting so long, I made an additional post to finish off this week. Thank you for participation as you are able!
Psalm 13:2; Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 11:28–30
Today's VERSA DAY... Perfect!
NOTE: I have a WORD document of scripture prayers from "Praying God's Word", from the chapter on "Overcoming Despair resulting from Loss" on index size cards, but do not know how to share them here, however if you'd like them, let me know and if I have your email, I will send them to you. Here's an example of the prayers:
Merciful and faithful Lord, because of Your great love I am not consumed, for Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lord, You are good to those whose hope is in You, to the one who seeks You. (Lam. 3:22–25)
When I am overcome or facing grief, I turn to God's Word (or any of life's circumstances). I have learned the value of praying God's Word and know that God's Word prayed to Him, will not and does not return void.
"Day 4
ReplyDeleteExpressing your grief
In the Bible
[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
1.What forms of mourning did David and his men engage in?
2.How does our culture grieve different from the way they did in ancient Israel?
In your life
1.Are others involved with you in your grieving? Why or why not?
2. How do you express your grief?
Day 5
Getting a handle on anger
In the Bible
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26
1.What limit is there to your anger?
2.How has your anger led you to sin?
In your life
1.What are examples of healthy ways you can release your anger?
2.If you have hurt someone as a result of your anger, name anyone you may need to apologize to. Ask God to help you."
Your pictures and verses are lovely, Peggy. And thanks for sharing all those comforting and encouraging verses. Love and Hugs ~
ReplyDeleteCharming and sympathetic picture, Saludos
ReplyDeletePeggy, what an amazing daughter of the Lord you are. You are digging a well into the heart of God. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI was just on another blog that has the word of the day from dictionary.com. Today's word is "brindle." Naturally I thought of you, and I decided to say what I've been thinking the past few weeks...I can see you with a brindled puppy - not to replace Bravo, but to honor him, and to heal those deep wounds of yours. What think ye?
Beautiful scriptures and I love the picture shared today. Thank you for taking the time to dig deep and share with us all.
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy of your scripture prayers, Peggy...
ReplyDeleteThat picture of the golden field perfectly exemplifies the invitation to "come"...so inviting and just plain gorgeous!
"1.What are examples of healthy ways you can release your anger?"
What works for me is to tackle an unpleasant job...like cleaning out a cabinet or scrubbing the bathroom...focusing my energy on the task at hand helps put the reason for my anger in a better perspective and helps clear my mind...
Sometimes when my anger is with a person instead of a situation, I make myself start naming the good qualities about them...very quickly the Holy Spirit will convict me with reminders that the Lord is the only one that knows a person's heart and the whole story behind someone's actions...
I know some people turn to running or exercise to release their anger, too, but I need more of a mental release than a physical one...
Our Daily Devotional:
ReplyDeleteFear No Evil
Psalm 23:4, NIV: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Have you ever wondered if you have walked through the valley of the shadow of death? Perhaps you have. Perhaps you have had troubled times but are not certain you would go so far as to say you have walked through times where death seemed looming--almost imminent. David knew what it was like to be surrounded by an enemy that sought to take his life. But he knew His God watched over him like a shepherd over sheep. The knowledge that God's protection was always present gave David peace and contentment. "Your rod and your staff, they comfort me" he said. God watches over us during the day, and He keeps watch over us by night. And even in our times when death is looming, and tragedy imminent, we do not need to fear evil--for God will take us through the most dangerous, and darkest of valleys--and faithfully bring us to the other side.
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Hi Peggy -
ReplyDeleteThis is a rich piece indeed. Thank you.
I love Matthew 5:4 and the photo that you included with it.
And you expressed in your prayer,
"You invite us to "Come to You" when we are weary or burdened and You promise to give us rest."
Hearty Amens to that. Your prayer ministered and your love for our Lord is obvious in it.
Where do you get those splendid photos?
Sidebar: Please visit my blog when you get some free moments. I posted today, Friday, the topic "WITNESSING TO UNBELIEVERS." So far, I have received some interesting comments and invite you to include yours.
Thank you, Peggy, for your consideration.
I am not avoiding these questions. I have reflected on them since Weds. and can't seem to find the answers. I've written about them in my journal but not really answered them.
ReplyDeleteNo one is involved with my grieving. I am not with anyone close enough to share this grief here.
For the In the Bible ?s:
Death Customs of Expressions in the Ancient World The only one that came to mind for me was the sackcloth, rending their garments and the wailing.
As for anger, we are to not sin or let the sun go down being angry. I do not know how to deal with the anger I have, though not angry at God and I have no reason to express any anger to any living soul, I do not know how to deal with the anger I feel toward this death. I have just fleeting moments and they pass but they are not resolved. I do not have a healthy way to express or deal with my anger. Anger has been an issue with me and I was quite verbal. This time I am not! I really like what Karen wrote and hope it will help me. It'd be nice to have more responses to this. I have not nor would not hurt anyone with my anger as I said above, no reason to... but I do ask God to help me when I feel that I have anger lingering. To cast those thoughts away from me. Anger can be self destructive. I've gone through this before. This is not new and I've worked on managing my anger, only my dogs are here to bear the brunt of it... but I like Karen's techniques. I try to escape in music or I must confess online games... like Poppit and the ones that earn money for cancer site or rice. Yet I divert online. I try to find the positive. Sometimes I read. Most of the time I cry out to God in prayer. Release comes and so do the tears to wash it away.
Now this is when I need a discussion group to listen to but this is what happens when no one shares. Thanks Karen! (and Sharon)
Hi dear Peggy,
ReplyDeleteBefore I forget, yes I would love a copy of your Scripture prayers. Thanks so much for taking your time to send them on to me.
Now, off to thinking...
1.What forms of mourning did David and his men engage in?
The direct quote is that they: "took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted."
2.How does our culture grieve different from the way they did in ancient Israel?
You know, I've got to be honest here. I think that our culture sometimes thwarts the process of grief. We try so hard to make death "pleasant" and "beautiful." We spend a lot of money on body preparation and caskets, etc. I'm not against these things at all - and I'm totally for honoring a loved one with beautiful things. However, death is not pretty - it's the wage of sin, and that's why Jesus had to die to conquer it. All I'm saying, is that I think we might be better served if we could "wail" a bit about grief, as opposed to stuffing all our feelings inside. (Of course, our wailing should be different for those believers whose death is really a "homecoming"!)
1.Are others involved with you in your grieving? Why or why not?
When I've had times of grieving, I am alone at times - but I prefer to share it with others. For me, grief is terribly isolating and lonely. I think it's better for me to be surrounded with others who can give me comfort, love, and perspective.
2. How do you express your grief?
I usually just sob my eyes out. I lose sleep and my appetite. I often feel numb.
Day 5
Getting a handle on anger
1.What limit is there to your anger?
I don't really struggle with a short temper. However, that's not to say that I don't get really angry sometimes, and I get verbal about it. I tend to get sarcastic, defensive - and then I launch into my "silent treatment." I'm afraid to admit that I often hang on to that quiet resentment for several days.
2.How has your anger led you to sin?
Yes, my tongue is a hotbed of iniquity! I say terrible things - usually attacks on another's character. Sarcasm is my best weapon - not proud of that. Fortunately, my fuse is usually pretty long.
1.What are examples of healthy ways you can release your anger?
Exercise, beating up a pillow (it actually helps), talking it through with others and in prayer, re-focusing myself on something else.
2.If you have hurt someone as a result of your anger, name anyone you may need to apologize to. Ask God to help you."
I've done a lot of apologizing - and it's healing work in the end. So, Lord, if there's anyone I'm not thinking about right now, bring them to my mind.
GOD BLESS!