I am still grieving the loss of my beloved husband, John. When we were married, God truly was a third partner in our marriage. He helped us with everything and strengthened us as one. John was the most holy man I had ever met. He loved me the way God loves me and he was my protector. I always felt safe and secure with him. He made me laugh and he encouraged me to use all of my God-given gifts in all that I did. He was my spiritual director and my living example of how to live a surrendered life to God. Together, with God, we were complete. Now that John is rejoicing with the Lord, one third of that relationship is gone. Now it is the Lord and I and my memories of John.
So what can I do now? I can reflect on how God has seen me through other devastating seasons of my life. Paraphrasing what David said in the Bible as he approached the giant of a man, Goliath, "I killed the bear and I killed the lion, so what is this Philistine to me?" When David went up against Goliath, he believed that the Lord was with him and that He would give David the victory.
To me, the Goliaths in my life are the circumstances and seasons of my life that seem overwhelming. Some of those Goliaths have been divorce, and the deaths of my parents. As I think back to those times, in every circumstance, God was with me. He was with me even before I was aware that He was working in my life. He was my comfort, my guide, my counselor, my all in all. One of the greatest gifts He has given me is His peace. A peace that goes beyond understanding. I cherish that peace with all that I am.
How is God going to comfort me now, in this dark season? What does Jesus have to say? In Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Then, in 1 Peter 5:10, it is written, "And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."
Wow! What a promise! So, even on days when I feel so empty, lonely and lost without John, I can trust that God will pull me through and that one day, my mourning will turn into dancing and that I will be stronger than before. I know that I can rest in Him. Thank you, Lord for your words of encouragement.
As I have said in previous posts, music ministers to me. This song, You Alone, by Lauren Daigle spoke to my heart and I felt that it also conveyed some of the feelings that I have expressed in this post. I hope you are blessed by it also.
How about you, are you going through a dark season of your life right now? If so, please turn to Jesus. He will bring you through. I know from experience that this is true. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus is talking about His provision for you. He says, "But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Try putting God first in your life. All you have to lose is your pain, sorrow, worry, loneliness, or any other negative thing in your life. All you have to gain is His peace, joy, mercy and grace. May God bless you in your journey.
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