Faith Fact- Grief



There are many in the church who struggle with the idea of grieving, especially over the death of a loved one. After all, we are a faith that believes in the Resurrection, so why should we mourn for the dead when they will be resurrected? One might ask if it's even okay to mourn.

As with many things, Scripture is a good place to turn to for answers. In this case, the biblical tale of Lazarus is particularly helpful. In the story, Lazarus contracts a deadly illness, and his family calls on Jesus to come and heal him. By the time Jesus goes to see Lazarus, he is already dead.

Now Jesus knew this would happen, and Jesus also knows that when he goes to see Lazarus, He will raise Lazarus from the dead. And yet we still get the shortest sentence in the Bible: "Jesus wept."

Even though Jesus knows all will be well, He still mourns. He still grieves. That means it's okay for us to grieve too.

This also means that when are in the middle of our own grief, whether for a person or an event in our life, Jesus is there with us.

It's okay for us to grieve, but we do so knowing there is always hope, just as there was for Lazarus.