Friday, November 20, 2020

FMF: Grief

Truly, truly I say to you that you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy! Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one is going to take your joy away from you.
(John 16:20-22, NASB)


Christians do not mourn like the rest of the world.  No where in Scripture is that more evident, than in John 16.  Jesus tells his disciples that He will be leaving them, something they could not understand.  Jesus moves beyond trying to explain what will happen to how they will feel.  They would mourn even though the world would rejoice.  However, for those disciples and for the modern believer, there is hope in grief because we know the sorrow will not last.  There will come a day when we are reunited with Christ and we experience a joy that cannot be taken from us.

Earthly joy is often limited.  We might be happy about something that happens, but we restrain ourselves because we don't want to lose sight of reality.  Or, we understand that something that caused us joy may have caused someone else grief.  The last year has been a time of balanced joy and grief for many.  One day we're jumping with joy and the next day we're punched in the face by grief.  Some times those days were the same days.

If our faith is secure in Christ, we are able to push through the pain (pun intended) like a woman in labor to the beauty that will soon be ours: Not just any child, but the Christ Child in all His glory.



This post is a prompt from Five Minute Friday and was written in approximately five minutes. For more information, visit fiveminutefriday.com.

11 comments:

  1. It is a bumpy road this being a Christian. We push through the pain as one family. This made me think as well that maybe I cause people grief without even knowing. Loretta fmf #4

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  2. so grateful our mourning is not like the rest of the world. such hope in Jesus.

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  3. BUT, we do grieve. Maybe not the same way as the lost but we grieve with great hope. #7

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  4. I'm so glad we have Hope. Jesus knows grief, and he knows how to comfort. Visiting from #10 :).

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  5. Amie, your post brought to mind Jesus telling His guys He's have to leave...hope you like this.

    "I've got to leave you, homies,
    and I know it's hard to hear,
    but you need not be lonely
    for I shall stay near
    through the Comforter I send
    who daily will your joy renew;
    do not think that, as your friend,
    I would abandon you!
    Please raise your heads and try to smile,
    for though I really have to go,
    my time with you was well worthwhile,
    and I want you to know
    that for your love and faith in Me,
    instead of One, you now get Three."

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  6. A clear picture of joy and sorrow, mingled. Thank you for showing hope.

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  7. I often feel that HOPE is the biggest gift of our faith. Thank you, Amie, for sharing yours. Karen (FMF #9)

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  8. Amen. Glory be to God. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you. Visit from FMF#15

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  9. I grieve openly and honestly but i do grieve with hope

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  10. "If our faith is secure in Christ, we are able to push through the pain (pun intended) like a woman in labor to the beauty that will soon be ours..." BECAUSE of our Hope in Jesus. Thank you for pointing us to this hope.

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  11. Some times those days were the same days.<---the grief and joy happening in the same day. I resemble that line for sure! I'm so sensitive I often experience both. Thanks for sharing your words of grace. Jennifer

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