“There is no greater disaster in the spiritual life than to be immersed in unreality. In fact the true spiritual life is not an escape from reality but an absolute commitment to it. Loss marks the place where self-knowledge and powerful transformation happen- if we have the courage to participate fully in the process. Loss and grief, however, cannot be separated from the issue of our limits as human beings” (Pg. 135).
Avoiding grief and loss is a temptation for many Christians. We tend to avoid the grieving process by over spiritualizing things and running towards addictions. However, Jesus want to use grief to “enlarge our soul”. Throughout the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we are given many examples of how Jesus meets us in the time of grief and loss. Let’s live in reality and embrace grief so that allow Jesus could comfort us.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Pastor Travis