Grief is the natural emotional response to the loss of any precious thing such as a job, fortune, opportunity, health, money, loved one and several other things. The most devastating grief is the loss of a loved one such as a spouse, sibling, friend, parents, and a child because they are irreplaceable and the death irreversible and colossal. The physical symptoms of grief are weeping, sighing, loss of appetite, dry mouth, insomnia and tiredness.

Grief can be normal or intense. Normal grief produces sorrow, pains, loneliness, anger, guilt, emptiness and sadness. The Bible reveals that king David grieved for the anticipated death of his infant son and his grown up sons, Amnon and Absalom in 2 Sam. 12:15-17, 13: 31,39: 18: 33. In 2 Sam. 1: 11-27 He grieved the death of King Saul and his three sons especially Jonathan who died in battle.

Job was thrown into intense grief for the loss of everything he had in one day including all his children as revealed in Job 1:13-19. He wailed (Job 3: 3, 11).

The Bible is not in any way against believers both male and female, old and young mourning the death of their loved ones. Afterall, Jesus Christ wept when he got to the tomb of Lazarus, his friend (John 11:35). Weeping helps to relieve the inner pains caused by grief. Unexpressed grief could be very unhealthy and dangerous!

However, the Christians are warned against the intense type of grieve and mourning associated with unbelievers who are without the hope of eternal life (1 Thes. 4:13-18 ). Intense grieve causes intense guilt, inconsolable weeping, sorrows, lamentations, insomnia, depression, helplessness, hopelessness, despair, and thoughts of suicide.

For the aforementioned reasons, the Christians are encouraged to give thanks to God in everything, for all things, in whatever they do and say during the period of their grief (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3:15-17).

This is because gratitude to God inwardly and deep down the heart in times of grief lifts up burdens, uplifts and encourages our heart. It prevents one from murmuring, complaining, grumbling and speaking evil against God. It keeps one from yielding and sinking deep into despair. It helps to keep one’s hope alive to face the future. Gratitude to God in the face of loss of our loved ones helps keep the heart at rest, peace, comforted, healthy and strong. God surely wipes away our tears in time of our griefs.

“Refrain thy voice from weeping and thy eyes from tears.” (Jer. 31: 16). Meet all losses with thanksgiving and you would be glad you did!.

To be continued…

GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I.

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