The Blessing In The Mourning
Reverend J. Loren Russell
Matthew 5:4 NKJV
“Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”
The death of a loved one can resemble deep darkness and create situations that are so sad and devastating that we don’t know what we’re feeling or how to describe it. We might experience anger, fear, sorrow, anxiety, frustration, confusion, and in some cases, depression, any or all of which can feel overwhelming. It can seem like a nightmare.
When loved one’s transition from time to eternity, we may also begin to realize that there are secondary psychological and/or emotional pain. We often grapple with the fact that things will never be the same. We can lose our sense of personal identity; “Who am I now without him/her?” A loss of security; “How am I going to make it on my own?” A loss of future plans; “What am I going to do now?” A loss of routine, “What am I supposed to do with myself now?”
We can have all those feelings, and then some. These feelings can surface or manifest days, weeks, months, and sometimes years after the death of a loved one. There are no timetable or directional signals in the mourning period, but they are normal parts of grief and mourning.
Through this process, valuable and often beautiful things are birthed through the mourning process. (Not to minimize the pain of death, I share this to assure you that there is a blessing in your mourning).
Throughout the mourning process, I have witnessed people develop other levels of empathy, healthier priorities, revitalized relationships with family and friends, and, most important of all, an enriched relationship with God.
Scripture tells us in verse 3 of the 5th chapter of Matthew, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” When you are poor in spirit, you are part of the kingdom of heaven, blessed when you mourn, and comforted (v.4); not because of the pain, but because of the promise: you shall be comforted. They are not comforted from man-made organizations, conventions, associations, conferences, institutions, or movements, but from their relationship with God Himself.
Remember what the psalmist told us in Psalm 30:5; “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”. (NKJV) The deep darkness of the night may feel heavy, but it will not last forever. Hold on. There is a blessing in your mourning. In the m-o-r-n-i-n-g, your m-o-u-r-n-i-n-g will turn to joy!
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the clergy officiant of the Evangelical Church of God, all in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096), and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live.
Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on YouTube and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com.
Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177
