The sharp cold air chipped away at my numb frame as my feet cut through the deep fallen leaves. My stillborn son’s funeral finished just hours before and left painful silence in its wake. Nagging emptiness grew into an urgent unexplainable need to return to the dark cemetery. So here I sat, ankle deep in decaying leaves rubbing his tiny fresh grave-the only thing left of him to touch.
No one warned me how much the death of my baby would hurt. The depth and weight of physical pain it brought was frightening. The priceless lessons learned, though, have deepened my love and knowledge of the Lord.
“I have learned to love the darkness of sorrow, for it is there I see the brightness of God’s face.”
-Madame Guyon
Ten years have now come and gone since leaving my newborn that cold fall in the hands of God. The lessons learned since are priceless. My arms still ache with emptiness for my fourth child, but my soul is full and comforted.
How can we live victoriously while in the midst of grief?
- We must not lose hope. God has a sovereign purpose in our suffering. God is the supreme ruler and authority and ordains whatever comes to pass. His divine purpose is always accomplished (Enns, 724). When we deepen our understanding of who God is, we will be able to accept what He gives. Charles Spurgeon reminds us,“There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all.”
- We must trust the Lord’s Purpose. God’s purpose is always to bring glory to Himself. In John 9:1-3 we see an example of this. Jesus was asked why a man suffered blindness. His disciples assumed that human suffering resulted from wrongs committed by the blind man or the blind man’s parents. Jesus answered them saying, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him”(NASB). We can rest knowing God has a divine purpose for our suffering. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:6-7.
- We must know God’s Word. When the foundation underneath us is swept away by waves of suffering we must hold fast to God’s Word. Well meaning friends, family and books may be encouraging, but true stability during suffering comes from the Bible alone. “Put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed” 2 Chronicles 20:20. “If your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them You have revived me” Psalm 119:92-93. “I am exceedingly afflicted; revive me, O LORD, according to your word” Psalm 119:107.
Today if you are on the road of suffering, I pray you will not lose hope, trust the Lord’s purpose and know God’s Word.
Please share with us in the comment section below what lessons you are learning today.
By His grace,
The Moody Handbook of Theology, by Paul Enns
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