Isolated But Not Abandoned

Unfortunately, many have suffered the loss of a loved one. That on its own is already challenging. Grieving in isolation hurts, it adds complexity to the already overwhelming struggles of grief. While our needs for grieving haven’t changed, the way we grieve has changed because of the current pandemic. The gatherings, the hugs, the laughs and the tears, it all happened while we were together in the same room with family and friends that came over to pay their respects and provide moral support. However, all of that in the current circumstances is no longer permitted and it’s uncertain when that will change. A funeral is an emotional ritual, it helps us go through the grieving process but, without seeing a body many may have trouble believing their loved one is dead. To make matters even harder, we still have to look after ourselves, make sure we’re healthy and stay safe because the risk of contracting the virus is still out there and so are the many other things we have to worry about such as utility payments, food supply and other essential things needed to survive. It’s no surprise we feel like there’s no relief.

So how do we grieve when we feel like everything is falling apart? We have to face our grief, there is no way around it. We have to make time and push through all the pain and sorrow, the anger and heartache. If you are going through some difficult times, know that you are not alone, God is always with us, he will not abandon us. All we have to do is talk to him and ask him for strength. We have to trust that he is looking after us, and he will take a way all the sorrow and pain and the feeling of emptiness and he will fill us with comfort and peace. We have to ask him to remind us of his eternal love for us and help us find a new meaning and purpose. 

God wants us to grief, he wants us to grief with hope.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13