The House of Mourning

The Bible in Ecclesiastes 7: 2 says it is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting for that is the end of all men and the living will take it to heart. This week has been one of such. I lost three persons all unrelated on Wednesday last week and I have had to ‘go’ to the houses of mourning.

One of the three has been my closest friend for a long time- one of my besties. She fought a good fight of faith against Cancer and has gone to be with the Lord. She is the second person that has been very close to me that has gone to be with the Lord, the first being my dad. Loosing loved ones can be traumatic especially when its sudden and you don’t get a chance to say goodbye. If you have lost someone recently or still grieving for a loved one, be comforted by these three things;

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Our text is taken from I Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NKJV)

We will see them again – The scripture above comfort us with the hope of seeing our loved ones who have died in the Lord. The key word there- died in the Lord. The pain of separation is intense and its best to take one day at a time but we cannot mourn like we have no hope. The message translation says we shouldn’t carry on like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word! If you read all the way down to verse 18, it gives you a further assurance of the resurrection of the dead at the second coming of Jesus Christ. This has been my consolation and comfort. – Consolation nugget number one

Jesus knows and feels our grief– Remember that the Lord knows exactly what we are passing through and walks this journey of mourning with us, assuring us of His unfailing love and His comforting Spirit. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 4: 15; that Jesus is in touch with our emotions, He understands and has gone through these various situations, He knows exactly what you are going through and therein lies your comfort; He is walking you through the grief, He has been there before – Consolation nugget number two!

Lastly you are a vessel to be used by God – 2 Corinthians 1: 4-5 (message translation) says God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. So don’t waste your pain!! Use it to bless others. That’s God’s ultimate purpose.

Prayer

Prayer for this week

Lord, today I thank you for the blessing me with (insert loved one’s name) and, the opportunity of knowing and loving her/him. Thank you for the comfort through the Holy Spirit in this time of mourning. I receive your love in Jesus name Amen.

Charge

Charge for this week

Comfort one another through trials and affliction. Today, seek out someone going through something you have gone through and comfort them with the comfort that God has given/shown you.