"How blessed are those who mourn, because it is they who will be comforted!"
We just lost a loved one, Dutch Suckley, my little sister's 24 year old son. He witnessed and went through a lot and suffered loss himself at a very young age. I can't really imagine what his life must have been like all that well. But several are shedding many tears now and will greatly miss him in the days to come.
Wasn't perfect - we aren't either.
You understand how God can truly be honored in our grieving process as we each draw close to Him and put His Word first. And He can completely comfort us too ..by His Spirit.. the Comforter.. the Spirit of truth.. as we wisely cooperate in love.
I really don't want you hurting. Why not..we all "do a search" if you will ..yeah, in our hearts and put away any sin if there (you remember how the Bible says we've all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God - we've come short of His righteousness [right living and right standing]), any idols (that we place in His spot), along with any illicit drug or wrong alcohol use, or any hatred of people, or foulness that might emerge on the lips at times, or any selfishness, or pride, or any willful independence from the Lord.. asking Him for His free forgiveness. I mean only if we haven't and need that.
Let's fully trust in the Jesus of the Bible now more and more and be / become guided by God's Holy Scriptures whether we choose to honor Him one way or another, yes, in this church or in that one...whether our flesh feels like it or not. God wants you safe from that junk!
Why not remember that people need some latitude to grieve in many ways and let em. I'm gunna try my best.
You know that God can bring a lot of good out of the very worst of situations if we call out to Him and obey. Roman's 8:28-29 is good, was inspired and it's fortunately still right there in the Bible. And Him continuing to be Lord for us, and even becoming Lord and Savior for many new people during this time is so important to God. It's really on His heart now. Please know that He can't make us do this or that, didn't do anything wrong, but so wants to bring healing, answers, real solace, salvation and restoration to as many hurting people as possible. Will we take heed and let Him?
I don't know how it's been where you are, but a whole lot has been going on with several people around my family. To me it would seem that God is really working so that many will give their lives over to Him, but the enemy is also working to bring confusion, to exacerbate the pain as well as to capitalize if you will on the unbiblical false beliefs, the uncertainty, and the chaos.
I praise God that everyone is rad-different from each other and that God honors our decisions. And I pray that God will win big as together we do what's honorable, and pray and diligently seek His face. I pray that He will somehow maximize on what went wrong, but bring what's right and bright out of the darkness. Kinda hard to explain.
"Thanks be to God, not only for 'rivers of endless joys above, but also for 'rills of comfort here below.'" ~ Adoniram Judson
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you." Psalms 55:22
"God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble." Psalms 46:1
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting ALL your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 kjv
"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?" Psalms 56:8
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.'I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you..'" ~ Jesus, Jn. 14:16-18
"..Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalms 30:5
A whole lot seems to be happening around us (..perhaps much of that is common with funerals etc.) that we can't fully understand. Lots of emotions have been stirred up this week for classmates and family members. Tears and more tears. I hate to seem people I love hurting. But let's not start to bitterly blame certain others for this or that or for not doing this or that as so many people choose to do in other places and situations like this.
As you know, the one who seems to recover more quickly will weep the more deeply ..adding in faith-filled supplications with it. But it is not the one pointing a finger of accusation at this one or that one. God didn't make all of us police personnel with the duty to find out what really happened, so we can prevent it in the future.
I pray for the comfort of my mom, Betty (Dutch's generous grandmother), for my dad, Kim (his generous and wise grandfather), for dear Lisa Kathy's very best friend and for his brother Kody now, that they all will accept the powerful ministering grace of God... and that God will make each of our grieving time like a bittersweet experience of communion with Christ who also suffered deeply. Matthew tells us that when Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been beheaded, "he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself" (Matthew 14:13). So he knows exactly what it is to go with you there.
We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize. But He stands ready to accept and warmly embrace for He was also tested in every way as we are — including loss. facebook.com/shareJesus
