Grief (Rachel Emens)

Usually I would say something lighthearted, maybe funny, to open this blog up. But honestly, grief is a pretty straightforward word. It usually brings a sense of sadness or reminds you of someone or something close to you that is no longer here.

But I want to talk about a different kind of grief.

Grief is defined as the natural physical, emotional, and psychological response to a significant loss, especially the death of a loved one. And I think that definition is important.

But let’s go beyond death.

No, I’m not talking about heaven. I’m talking about here. Now.

Grieving someone while they are still alive.

Grieving a season you thought would look different.

Grieving a moment you can never get back.

Grieving a friendship that slowly faded.

Grieving the childhood you wish you had.

Grieving the childhood your kids are growing out of.

Grieving a dream that never happened.

Grieving the career you thought you would have by now.

Grieving the person you thought you would become.

Grieving the version of yourself you had to leave behind.

Grieving opportunities you missed.

Grieving time you feel like you wasted.

Grieving a pregnancy, a baby, or the family you imagined.

Grieving an apology you may never receive.

Grieving closure you may never get.

Grieving something you had to let go of before you were ready.

Have I hurt your feelings yet? LOL. Great. Let’s keep going.

Psalm 56:8 says, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

He keeps your tears in a bottle. He records each one.

Do you understand that?

He remembers your heartache.

It was so profound to Him that He recorded it.

Who does that?

Certainly not my high school ex.

But GOD does.

He sees it. He remembers it. He cares about the things that hurt us, even the things we think are too small or too silly to bring to Him.

Wow.

Grief is not something God wanted for us. But we live in a fallen world.

I know. You’re probably tired of hearing that.

But it’s true.

We had a choice in the garden. And if we didn't have a choice, then it wouldn't have been free will, and it wouldn't have been love.

God never promised us a life without grief.

But he did promise that grief would not have the final say.

Because, sister — or brother — grief has an expiration date.

One day, grief will be no more.

One day, the thing that broke your heart won't be able to hurt you anymore.

One day, the tears you've cried in private will be replaced with the presence of the One who has been there through every single one.

Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Read that again.

No more mourning.

No more crying.

No more pain.

The grief you're carrying right now is real. It matters. You don't have to pretend it doesn't hurt just because you have faith.

But it is not forever.

One day, Jesus will make all things new.

One day, grief will be gone.

And one day, when we look back at everything that broke our hearts here, we will finally understand what it means to live completely grief-free.

Until then, we grieve.

We cry.

We heal.

We keep going.

And we let God hold every piece of it.