Sad things happen. I don't know why. Well, I do. We live in a world that is broken. And broken things break other things. Hurting people, hurt people. So sad things happen. Really sad. Precious people die. Love is lost. Sometimes babies slip away before ever being able to say, "Hello."
And it hurts.
It can hurt so much you think you will never be happy again. That there will always be an ache in your heart, drowning out every gladness.
A Time for Mourning
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:4).
Ecclesiastes says that there is a time to mourn. It is good to grieve. You have experienced incredible pain. It is all right to feel sad, devastated even. Cry. Let your emotions overflow. It is part of the journey. Internalising is not wise.
But despondency does not last forever.
Called Out of Mourning
John 11 describes a time when Jesus visited a grieving family. Mary had just lost her brother to a terrible illness. When Jesus arrived, Mary stayed inside her home, mourning. And Jesus gave her moments to mourn. He allowed Mary to express the full impact of her sorrow.
After a time, Mary's sister, Martha, found Mary. She said, "The Master is calling for you." When Mary heard that Jesus was calling her, she immediately left her house, and fell at his feet.
When you study the life of Mary of Bethany you find that she often assumed this pose. Whether it was good times or bad, she would fall at the feet of Jesus. At his feet, Mary found hope and healing. She encountered resurrection power. Life was restored. When Jesus called her out of mourning, she exchanged grief for abundant joy.
Is it time for you to come out of mourning?
I love that Jesus gave Mary space to mourn. He didn't expect her to bounce back. He gave her that season.
God is giving you time. He provides space to lament, but he will also call you into healing. You see, mourning does not last forever. Happy memories do. Grieving does not. There is a time to laugh and dance again.
When Jesus calls you out of mourning, fall at his feet. He is the resurrection and the life. He brings comfort and renewal. He will raise you back to life. He will revive your situation. He will restore your dreams. Come out of mourning. There is more for you to enjoy. There is time to weep, and there is time for happiness again.
Whether you are mourning a divorce or separation, a lost loved one, or unfulfilled dreams, there is a time of bereavement. But when God calls you out, it is time. Hold on to the memories and love. Let Jesus heal you. Let go of wounds. Allow him to breathe life into your being. Give yourself permission to be happy. Rejoice in the new day.
Promises of Hope
The Bible has precious promises for those who mourn. Everyone grieves at various points in life. God has placed beautiful Words of faith for us to cling to.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5).
It may be dark in your life today. The darkness will end. Morning comes. And with the light, joy. Not just happiness, but joy. Deep-seated joy. When the Light of the World shines, jubilation arrives. You may be weeping tonight, but morning is near.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come (Isaiah 61:2).
Isaiah prophetically spoke of the Messiah as he penned these words. Jesus came to declare the Lord's mercy and promotion. If you are grieving, expect a time of God's supernatural favour to follow. The succession of disaster has ended. His goodness will surpass every disappointment.
But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5).
Stop weeping. Look to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Jesus is given many names in the Bible, but this is one of my favourites. Here we see Jesus as he is right now. He was battered and bruised while on earth, but today he is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Resurrected in glory. Ever victorious. Ever strong. Ever faithful.
Stop weeping. There is victory in your circumstance. Jesus has overcome. Look to him. Fall at his feet. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has won.
Sarah Coleman is an Australian author and communicator. Her books include Single Christian Female and Make Yourself Amazing. She is passionate about the Kingdom of God. She also loves being a wife and mother to two boys. To read more of Sarah's thoughts go to sarahcoleman.com.au.
Publication date: February 28, 2014