GOOD GRIEF!

I have been exasperated, upset, a recipient of bad news, or for some other disappointment exclaimed, “Good grief!”

Was it good? What can be good about grief?

Certainly, there is bad grief. There is grief over bad events that generates disillusionment, despair, depression, disbelief, and even death—a slow withering away from hopelessness or a quicker decision to commit suicide. Nothing good about that grief.

Yet, there can be a good grief—a grief that drives us to God instead of from God, grief that is countered by hope instead of despair, grief that builds faith instead of undermining it, grief that teaches us to sympathize with others and be broken vessels who pour out tears and grace to others—comfort as we have received it. Grief can be like a sharp spade that plows the hardened soil of our heart, opening a furrow for seeds of santcification to be planted, when watered by our tears makes us more like Jesus.

You cannot be like Jesus without tears. Isaiah said the Messiah would be, “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭3‬b ‭NKJV). “Jesus wept,” (John 11:35), and dare we think we ought to escape it?

Our world is broken, and broken hearts are woven into the fabric of human experience. Romans 8 underscores this: “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). This grief will be good for the groans will end in glory!

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. … And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭16‬-‭21‬, ‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬).

Ten years ago this week brought me and our family the worst week of our lives. On one Saturday, I preached my father’s funeral and the next Saturday, I did my grandddaughter’s. In between, we were in Georgia getting our youngest son out of drug rehab. There were many groans, but also more than sufficient grace, and we live in hope of the promise of exceeding glory! This is the heritage of the children of God.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” (Matt. 5:4). A sweet lady painted a picture of my

Dad and Mya wallking into heaven. I share that here. One day soon I will join them. Are you ready for that day?

Yours in Hope,

Dennis Thurman, Mission Strategist