“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4).
Some years ago, I encountered a widow who refused to grieve her husband’s death. It wasn’t that this woman didn’t love her husband, but she believed it was a sin to mourn.
How comforting the words of Jesus are, however. Christ Himself recognized grief is a part of life and that we are blessed when we grieve. Grieving is so much more than just a feeling of loss or despair. Rather, grief can encompass the sadness we feel regarding the brokenness of the world, the violence, the heartache, the bitterness and anger that creates hostilities and madness.
Jesus asks us to have broken hearts so God may be our Source of comfort. This is a lesson we can teach as we lead with our hearts.
As you consider your ministry, no doubt there is sadnesses in families; there may be deep pain or loss. There are teenagers who cannot name the despair they feel, but we can help them know the comfort of God by giving them permission to grieve these losses.
Out of these losses, however, come new dreams. Comfort also takes the form of renewed energies, new goals or clarity. We often don’t heal from our grief until we can move through it to embrace a fresh path, a renewed life. There are many who need to be comforted—and often we can remind others of God’s strength.
