The Christian's fuel is the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We have this hope because Jesus died for the world's sins, was resurrected on the third day, and those who give their lives to him are safe and secure in this acceptance. We hold it close to our hearts.
But what happens when we 'lose' someone we loved? When grief feels so thick that it's almost hard to breathe? When festive seasons such as Christmas remind us of that loss even more?
Firstly, I want to emphasis this; it is okay not to be okay. It's okay to cry. Don't be so wrapped up in trying to not to upset others that you don't let yourself grieve properly. Even in the moments which are wrapped up with a pre-decided 'happy' label. I strongly believe in the release of emotions and being vulnerable before our saviour.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts.
However I know that embracing vulnerability and who you are after loss can be easier said than done. Sometimes I feel so consumed by my grief that I can't utter a single word or move a muscle in my body. But I find strength in the unwavering fact that God knows and hears the cries of my heart.
One day, I was crying on the phone to one of my sisters in Christ, and as we spoke she had a vision of Jesus collecting my tears in a jar. I share this to demonstrate that He sees your tears! Your emotions may tell you that you are alone, without hope, that He's turned His back on you - but your tears are not in vain!
Your sadness may grow stronger at Christmas - you may feel that 'loss' stronger than ever, but God's got you.
Psalm 18:16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
And now, I remind you again, of that hope that your grief made you forget for a moment.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
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.
This Christmas, as you remember the hope of salvation that was found in Jesus' birth, which in turn birthed hope within us - remember the hope you also have in His second coming. I know sometimes we feel like Lazarus' sister Mary, who told Jesus "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." But He never left. What we feel is a loss, isn't a true loss at all. Yes, it is certainly a loss in our lives on earth, and it definitely hurts. But God's got you and them this Christmas.
Mankind was on an endless downward spiral until Jesus Christ came to earth. We don't have a God who can't relate and emphasis with our struggles. When Jesus saw Lazarus' body, he wept. He feels our pain and struggles. God's got you and your loved ones this Christmas.
I know that not everyone is a believer, and these words may not feel of any use to you. You may be hopeless, in the sense that you're hope isn't placed in Jesus, but I want you to know that you too, are not alone. This Christmas, surround yourself with positive people, who remind you of the love that him/her/them gave you. And I pray that God's love transcends your unbelief and heals your heart.
I know that not everyone is a believer, and these words may not feel of any use to you. You may be hopeless, in the sense that you're hope isn't placed in Jesus, but I want you to know that you too, are not alone. This Christmas, surround yourself with positive people, who remind you of the love that him/her/them gave you. And I pray that God's love transcends your unbelief and heals your heart.
This is a prayer for all those who are grieving or have experienced some sort of loss:
Dear Jesus,
I believe that you are with me this Christmas. I hold on to the promise that you are with me even in the midst of my storm. My grief, tears and pain could and will never drown out your presence or voice. Touch my heart and give me a reason to smile this Christmas. Thank you for coming down to earth just so I could have hope, and that hope is present in all situations.
Amen.
Courtney Carr x
