Phone calls and Facebook statuses over the last couple days has reminded me once again that life is temporary. I've been reminded also that death is no respecter of age-one need not be old to leave this world.
Most people who die leave behind someone(s) that loved them very much. Who find themselves, many times without warning, pushed over the precipice of a dark and seemingly bottomless hole called grief. It is not a fast fall, but a slow one. It starts out head first, arms flailing trying to grab hope and sense. Only to be told by senseless people that it will be okay and that with time we will heal. We quickly find that we are totally alone and the darkness surrounding becomes so real and close we feel the pains of suffocation.
Left with nothing but despair that their world will never be right and normal again reach out for drink and/or drugs. A sigh of contentment feels their being at the comfort that they find in their new found friends. Maybe now life will be okay and that the searing pain in their heart will be gone. Then morning comes and they wake to a splitting headache and reality hits them like a ton of bricks. The ledge of drink and drugs that they had found in their hole of grief was not strong enough and had crumbed out from under them. Leaving them once again falling head long to what seems like their own end.
Sometimes another temporary ledge is found, it might be yoga, counseling, or anti-depressants. But reality is stronger and crushes over and over. Leaving suicide the only other alternative to peace.
I write this blog post with one desire and that is to give hope to those you find themselves left behind. Grief is not a bottomless pit there is at the bottom a solid rock waiting for us to firmly stand our feet upon. The getting there won't be found in friends, drink, drugs, or suicide. But rather Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Salvation. When we reach out to him he takes us by both hands, turns us right-side up, and we land squarely on our feet. It is then that we can see that the hole was never deeper then we are tall. Fresh air assails our nostrils and genuine hope fills every fiber of our being.
Not only is Jesus our rock but he is our anchor. The climb out of grief is not easy. There will be many tears and much pain. But when our life's rope is anchored around the solid rock we will find rest from our climb and our souls will be at peace.
I leave you with my favorite verse:
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. --Revelations 21:4
Very well spoken! I know in the year since my dad has passed it's not been easy, I feel like there is still a gaping hole in my heart and it aches, however, I know that I have to cling to Jesus, because He's the only way through. Nothing else will satisfy and nothing else will heal like Jesus does.
ReplyDeleteAbby, experts say that it can take 7 years for that gaping hole to heal. I've noticed with some it wasn't that long but for myself it was true.
DeleteOne of best nuggets I was ever given was from my Uncle Stuart. "Dealing with grief is like the peeling of a giant onion."
Thank you for your comment. Praying for you!
Your post blessed and touched my heart. 7 years was about right here. A very hard thing. I hope many that are hurting may be guided by God to your post. Life can be turned upside down so quickly. Never was God closer to me than in those days....and...I've enjoyed stopping by from Carolyns. =) Your blog looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment. I love Carolyn's blog-it's always so peaceful there.
DeleteBlessings to you!
Very moving post. I can so relate to the feeling of being left behind when my mother and dad passed away, but it was then that my God pulled me up and walked beside me giving courage and strength. Your favorite verse is one that I said at my mother's funeral and one of my favorites too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and your kind comment for the blog hop. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the weekend.
Hugs, Celestina Marie
Thanks Celestina for your comment. I love reading other's feedback. Hope you have a blessed day.
DeleteWhat a blessed HOPE we have in Jesus Christ! Only in Him do we have real hope and a future. Such an encouraging post. Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteVery beautifully written, As a person who recently has experienced great loss, you have captured the feelings of grief and expressed beautifully hope for healing, I thank you for your words.
ReplyDelete