1 Samuel 30:3-4 – When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.  So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.

How do I walk through grief?

1.    Recognize it is a process.

John 11:35 – “Jesus wept”…

Deuteronomy 31:6b – for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

2.    Remember, “I am not alone.”

Psalm 107:1(NLT) – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5(Palmer’s translation) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all coming alongside, who comes alongside us in our troubles, so that we can come alongside those in any trouble with the coming alongside we ourselves have received from God.”

 Psalm 9:9 – The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 18:2 – The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

John 20:21 – As the Father has sent Me, so I send you

 2 Corinthians 5:21 – we are ambassadors for Christ

 Bonhoeffer – “only the suffering God can help”

 3.    Receive His Hope and Healing

 Psalm 107: 26-30(NLT) – Their ships were tossed to the heavens
and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror.

27 – They reeled and staggered like drunkards
and were at their wits’ end.

28 – “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.

29 – He calmed the storm to a whisper
and stilled the waves.

30 – What a blessing was that stillness
as he brought them safely into harbor!

 2 Corinthians 12:9 – Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

 Psalm 30:5b(NLT) – Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

 Questions for Reflection or Discussion

1.    What feelings or past experiences came to mind during this message?

2.    What are key steps for walking out of grief into new life that you have experiences in your life?

3.    What does holding on to the tube look like for you in times of loss?

4.    Have you ever felt alone in grief?  Thinking back, do you think you were truly alone or you pushed others away and isolated yourself?

5.    Take time to discuss significant losses you may be walking through right now, individually or as a family?