While Melany’s mom chose to disguise her sorrow, Melany prayed for a miracle. The prayers of others are valuable no doubt. However, our greatest need is to accept God’s sovereign will in our lives. Holding on to our misery is not the answer. Accepting our lot in life while holing fast to our heavenly Father is. He is the great Comforter who is able and willing to ease our sorrow. I’m sorry to say, instead of conquering her grief, grief conquered Melany’s mom.
On the morning of her mother’s birthday, Melany woke with a strange feeling. She tried to ignore it, but the feeling only grew stronger. After many attempts to get her mother on the phone, Melany put her girls in the car and drove to her mother’s house. The door was unlocked. Leaving her girls in the car, she entered the house. Melany could hear the water running in the bathroom. She felt relieved. Confident that the noise of the running water was what kept her mother form hearing the phone, Melany made her way to the bathroom. She was stunned to find her mother lying cold on the floor. No matter how loud she shouted her mother couldn’t hear her. She was dead.
For years afterwards, Melany was plagued with nightmares from the horrifying experience. The loss of her mother left a giant hole in her life.
Two short years passed. Melany had barely had time to adjust to her mother’s death when her dad’s heart suddenly exploded. In an instant he was gone. Once again, Melany was devastated. “Why would God take both of my parents?” she questioned. “Now, I’m completely orphaned and alone with no parent to turn to for guidance.” This was the cry of her heart.
What was Melany to do? What is anyone of us to do when darkness falls all around us? When hopelessness settles in and we feel completely alone? How do we endure?
There is a place in grief where you find yourself weak and powerless. You want to move on. You want to get past the pain and live again. But you can’t, not on your own strength. I’ve been there my friend. I remember the darkness and the pain. I had no hope. There was nothing to rejoice in. I couldn’t die, and yet, I couldn’t live. The only thing I had was my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was my strength, my support, and the sustenance for my depleted soul. I was not alone. The Lord was there.
John tells us in the Bible, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NLT). That’s why it’s so important to have a relationship with the living God. As we come to know Him and hide His Word in our hearts, we hold within us a reserve of hope, life and strength from which to draw in our most desperate moments of life. God is our life. He is our sustaining power. “The Lord is our present help in times of trouble.” Our heavenly Father is our stronghold and trusted companion. He is our hope in hopeless situations. Therefore, you have not gone unnoticed by the Lord. He knows where you are and what you are going through. Your sorrow has not escaped His attention. He has not deserted you. God lives within you, and because He is within you, He is always with you. When everyone else is gone, God is there to cling to, hope in, and rely on.
Wanda says
Micca
I understand all of this….and I don’t want to hang onto my misery. But, everytime I think I’m moving on….something sneaks up and attacks again.
My family has spent the last 3 years climbing to get out of the hole of hurt from a church ministry left behind. With that has come one pain after another.
What happens to us next?
I hate what has happened to my family. Thankfully, no one has decided to turn away from Christ. It’s certainly not because satan hasn’t tried it.
I just want to feel peace….
mariel says
what a beautiful reminder of the love of the Father and how He lavishes it on us!!
you bless me so much! I was at she speaks this summer and took your fear class—it was such a timely gift for what the Lord is calling me to. Thank you for letting the Lord use you!
mariel
http://www.growingodliness.com