Let Them Grieve
In honor of Memorial Day
When they say,
“If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on scales, they would outweigh the sands of the sea (Job 6:1).”
Let them mourn.
When they say,
“When He comes near I cannot see him. When He moves by, I do not see Him go (Job 9:11).”
Let them seek.
When they say,
“You formed me with Your hands; You made me, yet now you completely destroy me (Job 10:8).”
Let them be angry.
When they say,
Tell me, what have I done wrong?... Why do You turn away from me?... Why do you treat me as your enemy (Job 13:23-24)?”
Let them question.
When they say,
“I was living quietly until He shattered me”…. “My eyes are red with weeping (Job 16:12 & 16).”
Let them cry.
When they say,
“My hopes have disappeared. My heart’s desires are broken. (Job 17:11).”
Let them grieve.
People must be given the opportunity and space to mourn who they lost. When we try to rally someone too soon, we might distract them from the work God wants to do in their hearts. Be there for your friend or family, and give them space to grieve. Allow them to ask God the difficult questions—He will answer them.
Perhaps one day they will say like Job did after his season of mourning—“I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. I take back everything I said (Job 42:5-6).”
Thank you to my brothers and sisters in arms who sacrificed their lives.
***The above was written two years ago as I studied Job in one of my seminary classes. The ending of Job stunned me; he realized that all his questioning of God now made sense after he went through intense grief. Grief is a necessary process after experiencing loss. A lesson for all of us to allow ourselves and loved ones time and space to grieve.. ***
Extra Sauce
You can look forward to my final confession for a while next Wednesday. ;-)
Soon, paid subscribers can read and listen to my memoir-style missionary stories. Details coming next week in the “Extra Sauce” section.
Coming in late June, the reason that began this Substack—the “Teach Me” series.