A Better Kind of Grieving
INTRODUCTION:

Every person will experience a loss about every six years of their lives. What do you do when you lose someone or something that is very important to you?  How do you handle loss in your life? How do you react to the death of someone near and dear to you?  I believe there are some healthy and unhealthy reactions.  There are some benefits that Christians have that non-Christians don't have. Not that we don't experience traumatic loses, not at all, but we can grieve, sorrow or mourn, Not as those who have no hope, but as those who have HOPE! 1 Thess 4:13

  1. WE NEED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF GRIEF
    1. Grief Briefly Defined... "Deep mental anguish, as that arising from bereavement"
    2. Understanding Grief & Loss
      1. Grief is a normal, healthy response!
      2. It is not self-pity, nor is it the development of a victim mentality.
    3. Studies have found that people go through stages or phases in their grieving.
      1. 1st - feeling emotionally numb.
      2. 2nd – deep yearning for the person who has died. 
      3. 3rd – outbursts; strong emotions; depression; silence; withdrawal from family/friends.   
      4. 4th – pain begins to lessen over time – life is seen in a more positive light again.
      5. 5th – final phase – this is where the person lets go of the deceased
    4. Process of Grieving... Some Helps...
      1. Accept the fact that the grieving process takes time and is different for each individual.
      2. It is important the griever "acknowledge the loss".
      3. people experience grief individually and therefore differently than others.
  2. GRIEF IS NOT WRONG...
    1. Jesus manifested grief  - John 11:32-35
    2. Paul wrote of "a continual grief" that he had in his heart - Rom 9:1-2;10:1
    3. Paul and the Ephesian elders expressed their grief - Acts 20:36-38
  3. FAITH IN JESUS HELPS US TO OVERCOME GRIEF
    1. JESUS PROVIDES COMFORT TO THE GRIEVING SOUL...
      1. Jesus certainly understands our grief - Heb 4:14-16
      2. He taught His disciples how to find comfort when troubled
        1. To believe in Him - John 14:1-3
        2. To keep His commandments, John 15:10-11
        3. To pray - John 16:24,33; Phil 4:6-7
      3. He provides comfort with the promise of our resurrection - 1 Cor.15:1-ff.
      4. It is in the knowledge and faith concerning the events of Christ's coming; as Paul teaches in 1 Thess 4: 13- 17.
    2. JESUS PROVIDES A FAMILY TO HELP BEAR OUR GRIEF...
      1. Those who believe in Jesus are part of a family - Mt 13:46-50
      2. As a family, we can bear one another's grief - Gal 6:2, 9,10
      3. Sadly, many do not take advantage of this blessing of a spiritual family.

CONCLUSION:

  1. Jesus certainly did not intend for us to bear our grief alone...
    1. He taught us how to have lasting joy and peace, through faith IN HIM, even in the midst of grief.
    2. He now intercedes as our High Priest, to comfort us in our times of grief.