Letting Go of Grief

The king covered his face and cried out with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 19:4 NAS)

She covered her face with her hands and cried, “Oh God, why must this happen? We just got back together and now he is gone!”

That was a scene from a script written for a drama television series. Not all of us might have experienced what it means to be grief-stricken to the point of having to do a facepalm, but surely many of us know what it feels like to grieve.

When Absalom died, his father King David covered his face and cried out, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” Joab, the commander of David’s army, heard about the king’s weeping and mourning, and he went to see the king. Joab reproved the king for loving those who hate him and hating those who love him. For Absalom was far from being a model son and he had tried to kill his father, yet David loved him and grieved for him. By so doing, the victory that day was turned into mourning because the troops heard it said the king was grieved for his son. Joab told David that if he would not arise and speak kindly to those who delivered up the men who lifted their hands against the king, not a man will pass the night with him (2 Samuel 19:1-7).

Sometimes, weeping, mourning, and crying aloud are unavoidable, especially when we are grieving. Yet, amid it all, we need to think about those who love us and mourn with us, for they are concerned about our wellbeing too, and our grief might extend their pain. Loving those who hate us is absolutely nothing wrong, for our Lord has taught us to love our enemies and pray for them who curse, mistreat, hate or persecute us (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-28). Beyond that, however, we should care for the living and for those who love and care for us.

Are we grieving excessively to the point of affecting the emotions of other people? Are we covering our face in our sorrow and turning away those who care for us? Do we love those who hate us while they are still living? Do we love those who love and care for us?

Grieving is understandable when we lost someone we loved. We need to after that rise from our sadness and do whatever is necessary to put to a close our sorrow and the sad chapter in our lives. Rather than dwell in sadness, continue to live our lives for Christ and walk faithful in God. If grief persists for an extended period of time, seek help and continue to pray. Wait in silence for God, forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead (Psalm 62:1; Philippians 3:13-14).

Dear Lord, help us not dwell in our sorrow and despair for too long but to quickly arise and look beyond to bless others and those who love and care for us. Comfort us in our grief and renew our minds to love those who hate us and pray for them who persecute us. Do not allow our grief affect the emotions of other people, but bless them for their love and care as we lay to rest the sad chapters in our lives and reach forward to what awaits.