"Mourning with those who mourn"

Romans 12:5 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Today I want to talk about sharing in the grief of others. Recently, a dear friend experienced an incredible season of grief. Today, I talked with a co-worker who buried a loved one and was sad and yet, rejoicing because her family member knew Jesus and she knew the family member was in the presence of The Lord Jesus and very happy and "at home". It can be difficult to watch others grieving and a reminder of your own losses, especially the loss of a dear one who passed away. And yet, the Word of God tells us expressly to not only to be happy when others are happy, but to also be sad when others are sad. To join others in the sadness they are experiencing is a special gift. To put aside your own feelings of loss and sadness so that you can help carry the pain of others can also be tiring, but rewarding. First, let us not forget, that if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you (we/us) have The Lord Jesus who walks with us "through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4a). Yes, He is with us by the comfort of His Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus also gives us family and special friends to who will corral around us; check up on us when we are especially distressed or despondent; or just be there in the room with us while we are making final arrangements or adjusting to the person not being on earth anymore. Our part is to trust God with our own sadness of seeing a loved one or a friend grieving their loss. God will give us comfort and give us comforting words and lead us in how to help others get through their grief so that they know they you are sharing in the mourning. There are many things I have found the Lord helping me to do when others are grieving that may be helpful: 1. Buy a card or write a note or letter. Choose your words carefully. I know I don't "understand" what they are going through even when I say I do "understand". I have to be careful with that one. I think what we can say is "I have been there and I have experienced hurt and grief....." We can say, "I'm praying for you" or "I will help you with this or that, please let me know when I can do....” 2. Give that person a call. Morning and evenings are probably rougher times than most as that is when the world stops with busyness and people began to rest. Right before bed when the body and mind are tired and emotions strained, is a difficult time to rest. Calling right before the bedtime to say you care and to see how they feel or if they want to talk can be a good way to help them address their grief to perhaps help them rest better. 3. Pray. If you are Christian, "pray always". Pray with them or write your prayer. Ask God the Father who is Our Comforter to comfort them at the point of their need. He knows their need better than we do. He is faithful. 4. If you live close by, consider bringing some food over to the house. Many times as many of you have experienced, your mind can't wrap around all of the details of funeral planning and talking with family members and doing the "routine things". You can bring food to the home of the person who has lost a loved one. It helps the mourner who may not have an appetite due to the grief, to get a little food to strengthen the body so they can handle the event of death. When going through a crisis we all need to eat a bit and rest as much as possible. 5. Speaking of routine things, you can help with doing some of the routine things: grocery shopping, washing clothes, helping with the children, sending cards, answering the telephone, taking messages, running errands, etc. 6. Be there. You don't have to talk, but being there in the house with the person sometimes speaks louder than words you could say. 7. Thank the Lord for healing. Yes...we can't make it in this world without Jesus. If you don't know Jesus, please...give your life to Him. Believe God's Word that He is the Son of God and died for your sins. Believe the Gospel good news of Jesus that He shed His blood on the cross so you can be forgiven for your sins and not have to live for all eternity without him and in eternal torment. Yes, friend, death is serious and everlasting if you do not have Jesus as your Savior. If you have not accepted The Lord Jesus Christ, grieving will be hard for you because you not only suffer the loss of the loved one; but you do not have a Savior who is Jesus Christ The Lord to help you go through your sadness. Only Jesus can heal the heart, mind and the soul. The Holy Spirit of God who lives in every believer KEEPS us IN THE MIDST OF SAD TIMES! Christians, you can pray for healing and salvation to come to those who are mourning who don't know Jesus. Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4, King James Version, The Holy Bible). It is true; I have experienced it every time. God the Father through The Holy Spirit has wiped so many tears from my eyes. God can also heal our family, friends and associates who are also mourning. Let's pray for His comfort through The Holy Spirit to come to them, shall we? Love you in Jesus Christ The Lord, Verinda