“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea……Be still and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:1-2,10

 Many of us, at some time in our lives have suffered great losses, perhaps a parent, a child, a good friend or a dearly loved spouse have gone “home” to be with the Lord.  I am still on my personal journey with grief in the loss of my husband and the Lord has taken me down roads I never thought I would travel.  He has been with me through highs and lows, comforted me in my sorrow and pulled me up short when I needed it.  Sometimes, sitting me down and giving me a good “talking to!”  I’ve learned some valuable lessons in trusting God that I’ve had the privilege to pass on to others.

Recently, a friend of mine lost his wife of 35 years.  He was totally grief stricken, she had been the love of his life and he didn’t know how he would live without her.  My friend was a believer and knew she was “home” with the Lord, but oh, how it hurt!  He asked me, “How did you do it?”  I gave him a hug and told him our church family would support him in every way we could, but certainly, it would be the hardest thing he had ever done or would do!  He agreed wholeheartedly.  Sometimes, the best words to say are, “I’ve been through it, I know what you’re experiencing.”  There are so many “pat” answers we can give, but verses from God’s Word and special songs bring the most comfort.

However, in the early stages of grief, sometimes we don’t feel like trusting God.  We waste time asking “God, why did this happen?”  “Why me?”  He is so patient, He continues to draw us to Himself, bringing friends into our lives to help us, a church family to support us or a grief group that points us to the cross.  God is our refuge and we need only to “be still and know” that He is God!  The Lord is our “ever-present help in trouble.”

On my journey, I’ve gone from asking, “Why him and not me?”  to “Thank you for all the years I had with him!” to “Lord do you have a job for me to do?”  to “Thank you for the people you bring into my life who I can comfort with the comfort I received from You!”   Praise God!  As long as we’re living and breathing, God has work for us to do!  Before we were born, God knew how many years we would be alive.  “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.  We can rest on His sovereignty!

I have been enjoying a song by the group Hillsong.  It’s called “Be Still and Know.”  Music speaks to me, I hope this one will as well.

Hide me now under Your wings,

Cover me within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar,

I will soar with You above the storm

Father, You are King over the flood,

I will be still and know you are God.

 

Find rest my soul in Christ alone

Know Your power in quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with You above the storm

Father You are King over the flood

I will be still and know you are God!

May the God of all comfort, comfort you today!

Your friend,  Jean