So, what do you think? Is it OK for followers of Jesus to grieve and mourn?

OK have you answered the question, or are you waiting to see what I say?

Remember those in Thessalonica who were noble enough to think for themselves as well as open enough to listen? Well, Paul’s thoughts to them were Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren concerning them who are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

What about Jesus example? Jesus wept, sharing in the pain of the loved ones that he was about to bless! John 11.35

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. Hosea 11:8

CAN YOU HEAR THE HEARTACHE OF GOD?

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I [am] God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. Hosea 11:9

IF GOD CAN HURT AND MORN FOR HIS LOST LOVED ONES, SURELY SO MAY WE.

O Ephraim , what shall I do  unto thee? O Judah  what shall I do  unto thee? for your goodness  [is] as a morning  cloud  and as the early  dew it goeth away .  Hosea 6:4

So, what is the difference between godly grief and the world’s? We feel loss and pain balanced with great sure hope. We worship our God in the middle of sorrowing, admitting that he is even bigger than this—whatever it is.

Just as seeing the enormity of my sin can only show how big Grace is ( bigger than that) so; feeling the loss and pain brought about by living in a sin-filled world can only show how his Mercy is bigger than that. Mercy is God using the very consequences of living in a sin filled world to bring blessing and glory out of the loss.

The first book in the Bible – Job- is about clinging to God even when we have lost everything. Worshiping him when we can’t understand and God has not explained. Worshiping by saying”The Lord giveth and taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord”.  JOB 1.21

LORD THANK  YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO HURT AND FOR FEELING MY PAIN RIGHT ALONG WITH ME AND FOR WALKING IN THE VALLEY OF DEATH WITH ME. HELP ME TO ACCEPT COMFORT FROM YOU AND THEN EVENTUALLY TO POINT OTHERS TO THE SAME SOURCE OF COMFORT THAT I HAVE FOUND IN YOU.