Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. Proverbs 25:20

      Grief comes in many ways and forms.  When an individual loses a parent, child, friend, or spouse, it is extremely hard and heart-wrenching.  We can’t avoid it, IT HAPPENS. Grief throws us on a journey that takes us individually in many different directions.  Each individual’s journey is different; no one has the exact same journey.
 
      Proverbs 25:20 refers to a garment being taken away in cold weather…this is a loss…..a needed item has been taken from a person.

      How much more when an individual that we loved and depended on, to meet and fill many of our needs, is gone…..what do we do then?  It is an emotional and natural instinct to feel the need of another individual…their presence is gone and there is a personal loss.  The relationship we had with them is now gone…..this is a loss and we no longer feel needed.

      Grief can cut to the bone, but we need to remember in the journey of grief the only thing that we can rely on, trust in, is the comfort of God’s Word and the promises He gives to us.  We must claim them, memorize them, lean upon them totally.  He is faithful to enable us to continue the journey with His precious Word. 

      It is like the garment has been replaced, when we allow our sorrow to turn to joy by emersion in His precious promises. I  can tell you from experience, victoriously,  it is by constantly claiming His promises and applying them to the circumstances you face minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day. Remember the words of Jesus, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”  (Hebrews 13:5c). 

Betsy Shoppy,
Widow of former staff memberDave Shoppy