He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…
Isaiah 53:3
I heard this verse last month at church and thought, “Wow, that describes my life in 2022.” You may recently become acquainted with grief too. I have an elderly friend whose husband passed away suddenly, a former student who lost a much anticipated pregnancy, a brother whose wife died, a sister and a friend who battled cancer, and I experienced the loss of a close relationship.
Through the grief, how did you cope? I leaned on my faith, books and close friends every day.
Luckily, I was in a Bible study small group of about ten women who met weekly throughout the year. These “sisters” listened patiently and prayed for me. Norma even sent me personal notes and three Journeying Through Grief booklets by pastor and clinical psychologist Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk. Norma is a Stephen Minister volunteer at my church. Her timely personal notes and booklets brought me healing and strength.
The author’s note inside the first book reads, “You’ve received this book because someone cares about you. The person who gave it to you knows you’ve lost someone very dear to you. When you lose someone you love, you lose part of yourself. And that can hurt–deeply. I hope you will allow me to walk alongside you through your grief journey….”
Pastor Haugk goes on to say, “The very real and human response to such a loss is to grieve. Grief is a very normal, natural, and necessary process.”
Many of us watching Monday night’s NFL football game saw a Buffalo Bills player collapse on the field and his team immediately became acquainted with grief. Coaches, players, and even fans, knelt, held hands, closed their eyes and prayed. Many people watching the game on television were deeply affected by the shock and possible loss they were feeling. Their natural response to this incident was to gather together and to pray for relief from what they were experiencing. It’s natural to feel pain and to cry. Everyone grieves in different ways and for different periods of time.
I had just received the third booklet in the mail from Norma, Finding Hope and Healing, when I picked up an Advent devotion booklet at my church. This devotional titled “A Thrill of Hope” based on the line in the Christmas favorite, “Oh Holy Night.” Pastor Tim Runtsch wrote, “Let’s face it, we live in a weary world right now. And our weariness comes from all sorts of sources…. Psychologists tell us that anxiety and depression are at an all-time high.”
So, yes, we may be weary, we may be acquainted with grief, but we have “a thrill of hope.” Look around you. Who can you lean on to talk with, pray with and work through the pain you may be feeling? Count your blessings. There is hope. God’s work is often done through people, so seek them out, read your Bible, and say a prayer.
Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament.
Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
…let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.
–Psalm 5:1-2, 11
Note: As of published date, the Bills’ player is continuing to recover from his injuries. Thank the Lord.