Navigating the tears of grief stems from loving someone and experiencing the loss when they pass into eternity. Unfortunately, no one is immune to grief, not even great people of faith like Abraham, who experienced sorrow when his wife Sarah died. This is the first time in the Bible that the word “wept” is mentioned, giving insight into his deep sense of loss.
Genesis 23:1When Sarah was 127 years old,she died at Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron) in the land of Canaan. There Abraham mourned and wept for her. [1] Grief is a challenging experience that affects everyone uniquely and individually. It is an uninvited visitor that knocks on every door, accompanying humanity since Adam and Eve fell into sin.
Amid our grief, there is hope, and that hope is our Savior, Jesus, who serves as the anchor through life’s storms. Paul sums up the hope we have in Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:13And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.[2]
The Lord Sees Our Tears
The Lord saw Abraham’s tears and sees by your tears during times of grief. Tears can catch us by surprise; they may fall gently at times or rush out like an unstoppable tide. When we think God doesn’t feel the depth of our grief, Scripture reminds us that God pays attention. Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. [3]
This verse gently reminds us of how truly valuable each of us is to God. Every tear you shed is precious to Him. He lovingly collects them as treasured keepsakes, storing them in His bottle and recording them in His book. Your tears are seen, cherished, and deeply remembered by the One who loves you endlessly.
God’s word gently reminds you that your grief truly matters. Your pain is authentic, and He lovingly takes His time with you, never expecting you to keep it all together. Instead, He honors your mourning and draws close to you in your sorrow. Each tear is like a prayer, a heartfelt expression that God hears and deeply understands.
The Lord is Our Compass
In times of grief, it can feel like we have lost our compass, as grief often overwhelms us. Grief often feels like being in a fog. It is within this fog that God comes to us in ways we may not realize or understand, showering His love upon us. The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, reminding us that the Lord is always with us and is our rock of refuge in times of trouble.
If you feel overwhelmed today, know that the Lord is walking with you as closely as a mother with a small child. The God of the universe loves and cares for you more than you know. To learn how God helps us as we are navigating the tears of grief, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-journey-through-grief-and-hope
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.