We began our week together walking through grief with Naomi from the book of Ruth. I then asked you to reconnect with your own experiences with grief and sorrow. Today I leave you with some articles and information on dealing with grief. As you read and as you may have realized through your own experiences, there is no one size fits all grief protocol. Each of us must walk through our mourning in our own way and in our own time. With that in mind, I ask that you continually extend love and grace to those who may be mourning. Use your own experiences to help shape you as an agent of comfort.

Coping With Grief and Loss by Helpguide.org 

Moving Forward: Dealing  With Grief by focusonthefamily.com

The Stages of Grief As A Christian: Finding Healing and Hope by truehelpchristiancounseling.com

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2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV — Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Yesterday, I asked you to remember a time you have suffered loss and to recall those who comforted you as you mourned. Naomi had her daughter in-law, Ruth, and later her family redeemer, Boaz, to show her comfort. Today is Thankful Thursday. Take time to intentionally thank one of those persons who served as an agent of comfort for you in your time of grief. Remind them of the specific act that meant most to you. Send a text, make a phone call, or better yet, write a thank you note. By being intentional about thanking him/her for the act of comfort, you are also encouraging future acts of comfort. Use your experience with comfort as a guide for you as you comfort others.

Let’s pray. Thank You God for comforting me and sending others to be agents of comfort. Guide and direct me as I have opportunities to comfort others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Matthew 5:4 NIV — Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Yesterday we reflected on Naomi’s grief from the book of Ruth. I asked you to draw close to Naomi as we walked through her grief with her. As Naomi dealt with her loss, Ruth, her daughter in-law, became an agent of comfort. Later Naomi’s family redeemer, Boaz, also was an agent of comfort. It is inevitable that at some point in our lives we will experience loss. Today I ask you to draw close to a time you have mourned the loss of a loved one. Reflect on those who comforted you during your grief. How did they comfort you? What was most comforting to you as you mourned? Make a list of all of the ways you were comforted. Star or highlight the gestures that were most comforting to you. Make a plan to duplicate the gesture the next time you have the opportunity to be an agent of comfort to others. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending comfort when I mourn. Show me ways I can be an agent of comfort for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Psalm 34:18 NIV — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Take a moment to read Ruth 1 NIV.

Naomi has lost both of her sons as well as her husband. She is mourning and she feels desolate. Her grief is so heavy that she changes her name to Mara which means bitter in Hebrew. It seems she feels God has forsaken her and brought misfortune to her. Let’s draw close to Naomi today and walk through her pain together. 

Have you experienced grief in your life? There are many stages of grief, some of which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and then acceptance. What feelings did you have as you mourned? Where did you turn for help and support? If you or one of your loved ones is suffering from debilitating grief, I encourage you to reach out for support. One option is the Mental Health Hotline/866-903-3787.

Please know that God is with you, God loves you, and God will never forsake you. 

Let’s pray the below prayer from biblestudytools.com

Help us, dear God, to embrace our sadness without guilt or shame. Grant us the wisdom to understand that grief is a natural and necessary part of the human experience. In our mourning, may we find strength in our memories, solace in our tears, and comfort in the support of those who walk this journey with us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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As we begin this week together, take time to read and meditate on the scriptures that will be highlighted.

Psalm 34:18 NIV — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Ruth 1 NIV

Matthew 5:4 NIV — Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV — Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

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This week we will explore the Bible character Naomi from the book of Ruth. We will specifically talk about mourning and grief. Take time to listen to the following songs that were played recently during the service and at the cemetery of my father in-law’s funeral.

Just A Rose Will Do was sung at the funeral by a family member. This version is performed by Nashville Skyline Digital

Scars In Heaven by Casting Crown was played at the cemetery as the pallbearers placed their boutonniere on the casked along with a piece of soapstone. The soapstone represented Larry’s career as a pipefitter.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

This week we have been sharing about Major Prophet Daniel who was taken into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon to serve in the royal palace. You may have heard of The Daniel Plan, a 40-day study on faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends.

In the book they use the mantra, “Daniel strong” = A pursuit of excellence in body, mind, and spirit for God’s glory. I have done the study in the past and it has been very helpful. There is also a recipe book. One of the recipes I have enjoyed is black bean soup. I’ve included the recipe for you to try. I hope you savor it as much as I have. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, You are able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within me, to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

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