Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional - April 18, 2024
"For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation…" —1 Corinthians 1:5-6
Why We Suffer in Our Earthly Lives: During a pastoral panel discussion, the questions of why God allows bad things to happen to dedicated believers and why He doesn't intervene to protect the earth's natural resources were addressed. Answer: God does not interrupt the natural courses and effects of sin. The original sin of disobedience created a continuous negative domino effect on humanity and the earth which will not cease until Jesus comes.
Understanding God's Purpose for Trials and Enduring Hardships
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. … In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." —John 16:33
Jesus forewarned us the righteous will suffer many trials and tribulations in their walk with Him. God knows every hardship we will experience in our earthly lives including the heartbreak of emotional loss. The fulfillment of our dreams can be cut short by a breakup, divorce, or the passing of a loved one. Emotional loss is life-altering because we love the individuals who are no longer a part of our daily lives which leaves a void in our hearts.
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." —James 1:12
Although we cannot process the loss of a loved one as a privilege to share in Christ's sufferings, no hardships arise in our lives without Christ's approval. Emotional loss is a byproduct of the original sin. Only suffering produces the spiritual growth and transformation required to inherit our reward of eternal life.
Because we inherited corrupt hearts [it is easier to do wrong than right] God allows severe trials in which no amount of human effort will bring resolution. Why? To save our souls! And to draw us into a heart-to-heart relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. God has a goal—To give us Eternal life.
Our spiritual journey is unique according to the growth required to change us into the likeness [character] of Christ. Every day we receive tests of faith that require a decision, will we use our faith to depend on His Divine Help? Active faith strengthens our relationship with Christ and fosters a spiritually dependent mindset that prevents our grief from overpowering us.
To be of good cheer is often misunderstood, we do not express joy and happiness over our devastating loss. To be of good cheer is to remain hopeful despite our circumstances because we use our faith to rely on Christ's never-failing love and power.
Overcoming the Emotional Loss of Relationships
"…I will never leave you or abandon you." —Hebrews 13:5, CEB
Emotional loss [usually] cannot be recovered, those who are impacted face disorienting grief and sorrow. Grief is a natural emotional response to the loss of someone close and cannot be measured. Believers often are challenged in the area of emotional loss. Because we pray daily for God's Divine Intervention we expect that we will be spared from the devastating loss of a loving marriage due to the death of a spouse, divorce, or separation, or experience abandonment. Yet, we are not spared—the marriage ends, the engagement is called off, or the best friend walks out of our lives. Will we turn to Christ and allow Him to heal our grieving hearts?
Christ Comfort to Parents—The Death of Children
"He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces…" —Isaiah 25:8
The greatest blow from the sting of death is when a child passes away. Losing a baby, child, or children permanently changes the trajectory of their parent's existence. A parent's love for their children, living or deceased, is steadfast and protective. No spoken human words can comfort the sorrow of losing a child. Only God's promises in the Scriptures will provide peace and calm the raging storm of grief.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:8). Continuous prayers of faith asking for Jesus' strength to move forward [in little steps] must be spoken often during immense grief. Only Divine love and power can give parents the strength to press on despite their shattered hearts.
Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties can come unexpectedly. Our life's dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence? Lloyd Newell
The song, It is Well with My Soul was written by Horatio Spafford following the loss of his son from scarlet fever and the loss of his four daughters from the collision of the ship they were on with their mother. "Upon arriving in England, his wife sent a telegram to her husband that read: 'Saved alone. What shall I do?' "
"Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me" —Isaiah 27:5
Emotional loss is the most devastating loss we experience. We face two challenges, 1. We desire for the loved one to be with us again., 2. Grief is a powerful and uncontrollable emotional response—grief penetrates the mind, heart, body, and soul. The very core of our existence is shaken. The human response to the loss of a loved one is not predictable. Many have lost their will to live from losing their spouse, soul-mate, children, or parents, and best friends.
"I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." —Psalm 121:1-2
Christ is our only hope when overwhelming sorrow fills our lives. He is the Giver of Peace and the Holy One who prevents our grief from escalating into a hopeless state of despair. We acknowledge that our hearts are broken, we do not have the strength to move forward, and we continuously pray for Christ's Divine Help.
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." —Revelation 21:4
We rely on our faith in God to accept His will even when the death of a loved one occurs. For those who died in Christ, they will be raised first when He comes again. For strength, we meditate on the Scriptural promises of God is with us. Yes, believers also experience the deepest sorrow from death, divorce, and breakups, yet, we embrace our loving Savior's invitation, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
From the depths of our grieved and weakened hearts, we pray, Jesus, I need Your help and Christ begins our journey of healing and restoration. Amen.
"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." —John 21:25
Enduring the loss of loved ones is a spiritual struggle. Christ suffered from a broken heart. He humbled Himself to live an earthly life that was so grievous, that He called himself, A Man of Sorrows. Only Jesus has the power to discern the magnitude of grief and soothe the mother's heart who lost her only child and bring peace to the widow or widower who lost their lifetime forever love.
Truly, Christ loves us. Our love for Christ joins our hearts to His heart. Remain faithful through much prayer. Search the Scriptures every day to learn the loving characters and promises of God, the Father, and God, the Son. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter who gives us the supernatural strength to keep pressing forward in Jesus' Name.
Overcoming the Natural Responses to Emotional Loss
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." —Isaiah 41:10
Our response to emotional loss reveals the true status of our relationship with Christ. If we ask, How could God allow this to happen? then we blame God for the failure to intervene which nurtures unbelief. The escalation of anger or depression easily overpowers faith. Do not believe the psychological theories that lingering anger, unforgiveness, and depression are normal responses to emotional loss. Immediately, seek Christ through fervent prayer. Sustained anger, unforgiveness, and sinking into the darkness of depression indicate our rejection of Christ's love which prevents spiritual, mental, and emotional healing.
Restoring Our Will to Breathe and Move Forward
"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds…" (Jeremiah 30:17). Although we focus on the physical healing of Jesus' earthly ministry, His divine priority was spiritual healing and restoration. Emotional loss requires spiritual healing only available through Christ. We pray, Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor responds, and the Holy Spirit anoints us with supernatural power and peace.
God is love! He never allows even the severest trial to crush us which would serve no purpose in our journey of spiritual transformation. Christ promises healing when we faithfully trust Him. Although it seems impossible, I am a living witness that our grief dissipates, and the emptiness in our hearts is filled with Christ's love and peace.
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in him I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." —Psalm 18:2
During our journey of healing and restoration, day by day, the Holy Spirit imparts Christ's strength to carry us through. Yes, you will experience days that leave you breathless. And on those days, call His Name out loud, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
The spiritual comfort we receive from placing our lives in Christ's hands is life-changing! He fills our empty void with His love, joy, and peace. If we pray without ceasing and faithfully depend on Jesus, we will receive complete healing and restoration. Each day, Christ patiently guides us through our journey imparting healing abundant love and peace into our hearts.
" '…Do you want to be made well?' " —John 5:6
Spiritual Healing is Supernatural and Divine! Grief and sorrow cannot stay in our hearts when we place our faith and trust in Christ. One day we awaken and we know that we are healed because our hearts are free from pain and sorrow! And our tears express our gratitude for His love, long suffering, and the time we were given with our loved ones.
Jesus' Divine healing power abolishes the residual of emotional loss and we are made whole. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." —Isaiah 53:5
Lord God, we pray for those who are hurting from losing their loved ones. We ask You to shower them with love and strength and to give them peace as You bring healing and restoration to their broken hearts. We ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus. Amen. © April 2024
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