No, you can’t pull out someone’s hair if their sin angers you enough; however, the frustration Nehemiah felt should challenge us. I know. This example might surprise you. I suspect he also wept for the devastation of death and separation from our Father. The problem is that we don’t listen and are disobedient! In On Grief and Grieving, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross asked me to help adapt the stages she had observed in the dying to account for the similar stages we had also observed in those who are grieving.They are not a method for tucking messy emotions into neat packages. "The reality is that you will grieve forever. If I am truly sorry for my sins, I should naturally lose my appetite for continuing in any specific sin. When trudging along this road it is easy to long for a pleasant surprise, a happier time around the bend. But it wasn’t their fasting that moved God: Is fasting an appropriate response to sin for us? It wasn’t until another grieving mom asked the question that I realized there are some (many?) We can no longer stomach being out of God’s will. It wasn’t until another grieving mom asked the question that I realized there are some (many?) It wasn’t until another grieving mom asked the question that I realized there are some (many?) We sit in the back of the church but I guess the tears that flow were offensive to the church leadership. It’s one of the enemy’s favorite lies. That’s why it’s critical to share these truths with you now, even in the midst of your grief. It requires us to feel our way through the sense of loss produced by suffering. When godly grief over sin produces repentance, repentance leads to salvation. And, even though God never intended the human heart to suffer grief, He included instructions and promises in His Word to help us through it . I stopped at a little convenience store and bought a bag of barbecued potato chips. The Jews were taken into Babylon, because they failed to remain a holy people. He was unable to find a remedy until he made a full confession before the throne of heavenly grace. ❤️, The other example I often think of is Jesus crying at Lazarus’ tomb. I am reading this, while in bed. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Not at first, mind you-everyone is “allowed” a certain amount of time to get over the loss of a dream, the loss of a job, the loss of health or the loss of a loved one. Do we experience grief over our sin? But the fact that there is a struggle with sin, and a sense of grief because of sin, is good. Cathy, I am sorry that you know this pain. He is well-acquainted with grief and he has entered into the hell of your sin in order to bring you back to the land of the living and loving. David Experienced Grief Over Sin. And I can’t make up a tidy wrapped up package for other people’s consumption. His cancer was cured and his agonizing pain left him with his last earthly breath. Grieving over my sin, makes me think of a time when I was coming back from a long drive and wanting to snack on something to pass the time. Walking in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, A Mother's Journey of Child Loss. Once again they started intermarrying with the surrounding people. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. (I Thessalonians 4:13). One theory is that if we trust God in all things, grief should never enter our minds. John Bunyan's wife having, after several previous applications to different judges, made a specially importunate appeal to Judges Hale and Twisdon for the release of her husband from Bedford gaol, and being again unsuccessful, said: "I … “The whole creation groans” (mourns, grieves) “to be set free from bondage to decay”. As a result, we suffer with grief every day of our lives — grief over the loss of others, over the sin of others, and over the sin within us. On this one occasion only is the expression used with reference to Jesus—(what intensity of emotion does it denote, spoken of a sinless nature! Well said Brother! Tinling's Illustrations. I cry in church because I can’t believe I have the privilege of worshiping Him while hurting like this and that while it cost me something to worship while in pain, it truly means something and yes, it is totally worth it. What a terrible twisting of the grace of God. By Eric Taylor Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill Focal Passage: Psalm 116:1-9; 15-17 The focal point of our lesson for this week, is that God is with us and restores us in times of trouble, sorrow, and grief. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness…. Would you be open enough to share a time in your life when you were particularly grieved over the sin around you? The image at the end of this post is where I am this week: a long, dry road, that seems to have few places to rest. Thank you so much for posting this. One problem with grief is the fear that the intense pain will last forever. Your email address will not be published. ” (2 Corinthians 7:10) It is depressing when we realize how sinful we are in God’s eyes. He went through the normal recommendations, such as keeping a strong immune system, eating well, , getting enough sleep. “Yet to such a one I look: on him who is poor and bruised of spirit, and who trembles at My Word. Here is … I also start to feel guilty for questioning God, but that is the enemy. By His divine power He really has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness! We don’t normally think of the physical benefits of obedience. (Romans 8:21-22). Grief is hard. And yet, since the entry of sin into the world, not only have all experienced sin because of Adam (Rom. That said, we’re now living in a world of sin, sorrow, and separation. Receive a FREE Copy of Seven Biblical Insights for Healthy, Joyful, Christ Centered Marriages, Seven Biblical Insights for Healthy, Joyful, Christ Centered Marriages, Eternally Minded Mamas One-Month Devotional and Journal. I wrestle with the “why, why my son” a lot. For a time, especially at the beginning, grief occupied most of my field of vision. It is so cold here and the wind is awful. I am so, so sorry this was your experience. If I am holding it and dragging it with me toward the foot of the cross, that’s not sin. If I continue to wrestle, like Jacob-clinging and begging for the blessing-I am not sinning when I walk away with the limp the wound leaves behind. This echos everything I have felt for 2 years since losing my son, Noah. Hector we love you, Mom and Dad, Your email address will not be published. Rebecca J. Shefchek. God has made it clear in his Word what a person needs to do to be healthy. We have been very fortunate at our church to have a understandING and loving congregation! Scripture contains many individuals who experienced grief over sin, whether their own sin, or the sin around them. Dear mama, I’m so glad this helped your heart. Hi Rebecca, Grief definitely takes many forms, thanks for sharing your example. He takes my grief … I’m so sorry they are not helping to comfort you during this time!! He described what happens in our bodies when we get angry: capillaries restrict, the heart has to work much harder, hormone levels are negatively affected, we become less reasonable, and our bodies become slower to heal, and experience poorer pulmonary function. Thus, in grief, God responds in judgment against sin, yet bestows saving grace and mercy on Noah and his family (Gen 6:7-8). Everything floating around you reminds you of the beauty and the magnificence of the ship that was, and is no more. But carry that sadness and wounded heart too publicly for too long and you better be ready for someone to question your faith. The processes of mourning follow the basic brain principles for change in top-down cortical mappings. Is Grieving A Sin? Forgiveness only comes from what Jesus has done, and not from anything we could do. If I turn my heart and face toward the One Who made me and trust that even in this painful place He is carrying me and will care for me, that’s not sin. I believe this took place in the spiritual realm, but was played out in the physical realm: The Lord said to [the angels], “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”. This touched my heart deeply this morning Melanie! Again, thank you for your ministry to other grieving parents! Listen to these words from David following his sin: This past week I was watching a health lecture on YouTube. Few titles in Scripture – if any – can rival what God called David: “a man after My Own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). [God said], ‘Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days.’”. Because He is worth it. 53:3) so that He might bear our grief and carry away … Sadness is not sin. You will not 'get over' the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. It is quite the sacrifice to praise God for what Joni Eareckson Tada calls a “bruising of a blessing”. Grief is not sin. You are a grieving mother. Before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews into exile, God chose to spare some men by putting marks on their foreheads. Your email address will not be published. in the community of believers that think grief is sin. If mourning is an appropriate time to fast, and you happen to be mourning over your sin, then it could be appropriate to fast too. Thank you again, you are truly gifted to write something so very true, but yet so beautiful! No one has said to me that grief is sin, but for some reason I wrestle with this question internally. He became sin for the fallen race. "Being grieved for the hardness of their hearts. First, we […] It was all about how if we are grieving we need to repent of our sin. (This is a very small church and today’s sermon was obviously agenda driven and directed at us.) Her bottom half is that of an olive gr… I try not to let my mind stay focused on my questions. Following my Shepherd through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, It’s No Sin To Grieve – thelifeididntchoose, Repost: Grief is NOT Sin – thelifeididntchoose, Grief and Holidays:What the Bereaved Need From Friends and Family. Great post Pastor! Although grief still grabs me at times, God’s loving comfort is more powerful than my pain. Not at first, mind you -everyone is “allowed” a certain amount of time to get over the loss of a dream, the loss of a job, the loss of health or the loss of a loved one. While it seemed to please God in the Old Testament, we don’t see it commanded, encouraged, or even modeled in the New Testament as an appropriate response to sin. He loves His children also and can do anything . It was pretty hard to believe, but some scientists claimed chronic anger may be more dangerous than smoking and obesity as factors contributing to early death. I’m thankful it helps your heart to read and know you are not alone nor are you crazy or abnormal. These examples of grief over sin are far from the only ones in Scripture. 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