Finding Immediate Hope in Grief and Loss

 

Summary

In times of deep sorrow and grief, the question often arises: "How do I get through today?" While the promise of heaven is a wonderful hope, it doesn't address the immediate need for comfort and strength in the present moment. The scripture offers not only the hope of God's ultimate purpose but also a nearer, more immediate hope for those rebuilding their lives amidst the ruins of loss and trauma. The grieving soul, as described in Lamentations, feels bereft of peace, happiness, and even the presence of God. The trauma and loss replay in the mind, creating a cycle of misery and depression. In such depths, the promise of heaven, though true and beautiful, may seem distant and insufficient for the immediate struggle.

However, there is a profound shift in perspective when the grieving person makes an intentional decision to call to mind the steadfast love and mercies of the Lord. This act of remembrance becomes a source of hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, and His mercies are new every morning. This truth provides a daily, tangible hope that can be grasped even in the darkest times. One member of a grief group shared how she learned to thank God for the smallest things, like the blue sky or a bird's song, and each act of gratitude felt like a step out of the pit of despair.

The focus of hope for those in sorrow is not solely on God's ultimate purpose but on His immediate presence and mercies. God's faithfulness is great, and His presence is constant. He promises never to leave or forsake us, providing the strength and hope needed for each day. This immediate hope is what sustains us as we navigate the rubble of our lives, reminding us that our Redeemer is faithful and true.

Key Takeaways:

- In the midst of grief, the immediate question is often how to get through today, not just the hope of heaven. The scripture provides a nearer hope that addresses the present need for comfort and strength. [00:16]

- The grieving soul may feel devoid of peace and happiness, with trauma replaying in the mind. This cycle of misery can make the promise of heaven seem distant. [01:47]

- A significant shift occurs when one intentionally calls to mind the steadfast love and mercies of the Lord, which are new every morning. This act of remembrance becomes a source of hope. [03:36]

- Gratitude for small things can be a powerful step out of despair. Recognizing and thanking God for everyday blessings can help lift the soul from the pit of grief. [05:42]

- God's immediate presence and mercies provide the strength needed for each day. His faithfulness is great, and He promises never to leave or forsake us, offering a tangible hope in our darkest times. [07:00]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - The Question of Today
- [00:37] - Rebuilding Amidst Ruins
- [00:51] - Bereft of Peace
- [01:12] - The Weight of Grief
- [01:30] - Feeling Forsaken
- [01:47] - The Cycle of Trauma
- [02:09] - Memory's Relentless Replay
- [02:28] - Sinking into Misery
- [03:12] - The Need for Immediate Hope
- [03:36] - Calling to Mind Hope
- [04:17] - The Steadfast Love of the Lord
- [05:16] - Gratitude in Grief
- [06:15] - The Focus of Hope
- [07:00] - God's Faithful Presence

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Lamentations 3:17-24
- Hebrews 13:5

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Observation Questions:

1. In Lamentations 3:17-18, what emotions and experiences does the grieving person describe? How do these verses reflect the feelings of someone in deep sorrow? [00:51]

2. According to Lamentations 3:21-23, what does the grieving person choose to remember, and how does this change their perspective? [03:36]

3. How does the sermon describe the cycle of trauma and its impact on the grieving soul? [01:47]

4. What small acts of gratitude did the member of the grief group practice, and how did these acts affect her journey through grief? [05:42]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for God's mercies to be "new every morning," and how might this provide comfort to someone experiencing grief? [04:41]

2. How does the intentional act of remembering God's steadfast love and mercies serve as a source of hope for the grieving person? [03:36]

3. In what ways does the promise of God's immediate presence differ from the hope of heaven, and why is this distinction important for those in sorrow? [06:15]

4. How might the practice of gratitude, even for small things, help someone shift their focus from despair to hope? [05:42]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt bereft of peace and happiness. How did you cope with those feelings, and what might you do differently now in light of this sermon? [00:51]

2. Consider the cycle of trauma described in the sermon. What practical steps can you take to break this cycle in your own life or support someone else in doing so? [01:47]

3. How can you intentionally call to mind God's steadfast love and mercies in your daily life? What specific reminders or practices could help you focus on this truth? [03:36]

4. Identify one small thing you can be grateful for today. How can practicing gratitude for small blessings become a regular part of your routine? [05:42]

5. In what ways can you experience and acknowledge God's immediate presence in your life, especially during difficult times? How can this awareness provide strength and hope? [06:15]

6. Think of someone in your life who is currently grieving. How can you offer them support and remind them of God's faithfulness and presence? [07:00]

7. How does the promise that God will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) impact your understanding of His faithfulness? How can this promise be a source of comfort in your current circumstances? [07:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Finding Hope in the Present

In times of grief, the immediate question often becomes, "How do I get through today?" While the promise of heaven offers a future hope, it may feel distant when faced with the immediate need for comfort and strength. Scripture provides a nearer hope that addresses the present moment, offering solace and strength to those who are rebuilding their lives amidst the ruins of loss and trauma. The grieving soul, as described in Lamentations, may feel devoid of peace and happiness, with trauma replaying in the mind, creating a cycle of misery. In such depths, the promise of heaven, though true and beautiful, may seem insufficient for the immediate struggle. [00:16]

Lamentations 3:19-21 (ESV): "Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope."

Reflection: What is one small thing you can do today to find comfort and strength in the present moment, even amidst your grief?


Day 2: Breaking the Cycle of Misery

The grieving soul may feel trapped in a cycle of misery, with trauma replaying in the mind and making the promise of heaven seem distant. This cycle can lead to feelings of being bereft of peace and happiness, and even the presence of God. However, there is hope in breaking this cycle by intentionally calling to mind the steadfast love and mercies of the Lord. This act of remembrance becomes a source of hope, providing a daily, tangible hope that can be grasped even in the darkest times. [01:47]

Psalm 42:5 (ESV): "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation."

Reflection: What specific memory or thought tends to replay in your mind, and how can you intentionally replace it with a reminder of God's steadfast love today?


Day 3: The Power of Remembrance

A significant shift occurs when one intentionally calls to mind the steadfast love and mercies of the Lord, which are new every morning. This act of remembrance becomes a source of hope, providing a daily, tangible hope that can be grasped even in the darkest times. By focusing on God's immediate presence and mercies, one can find the strength needed for each day. This immediate hope sustains us as we navigate the rubble of our lives, reminding us that our Redeemer is faithful and true. [03:36]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally remember God's steadfast love and mercies today, and how might this act of remembrance bring you hope?


Day 4: Gratitude as a Pathway Out of Despair

Gratitude for small things can be a powerful step out of despair. Recognizing and thanking God for everyday blessings can help lift the soul from the pit of grief. One member of a grief group shared how she learned to thank God for the smallest things, like the blue sky or a bird's song, and each act of gratitude felt like a step out of the pit of despair. This practice of gratitude can transform one's perspective, providing a tangible hope in the midst of sorrow. [05:42]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: What is one small thing you can thank God for today, and how might this act of gratitude help lift your spirit?


Day 5: Embracing God's Faithful Presence

God's immediate presence and mercies provide the strength needed for each day. His faithfulness is great, and He promises never to leave or forsake us, offering a tangible hope in our darkest times. By focusing on God's immediate presence and mercies, one can find the strength needed for each day. This immediate hope sustains us as we navigate the rubble of our lives, reminding us that our Redeemer is faithful and true. [07:00]

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV): "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to embrace God's faithful presence today, and how can you actively seek His strength and hope in that area?

Quotes

the person who is grieving is asking the question how do I get through today and the answer to that question wonderful though heaven is isn't heaven that's not today so you see why it's very important to realize that when it comes to hope the scripture gives to us not only the hope of God's ultimate purpose but it gives to us a nearer and more immediate hope [00:00:04]

my soul is bereft of peace verse 18 I have forgotten what happiness is verse 18 my endurance has perished oh the grieving person knows this I'm just so tired all the time I don't have any energy everything seems like an enormous effort to me I'm not interested in doing anything anymore and then he says my hope from the Lord has perished [00:00:55]

I don't even feel the presence of God with me I don't feel that I can pray we're gonna look more at that next week the hope that I once had the comfort that I once found in God seems to have deserted me altogether my soul verse 20 continually remembers my affliction all that happens in my mind goes round and round and round what I've lost what I've suffered the trauma it goes on I can't stop it in my mind [00:01:28]

anyone who has experienced trauma or suffered violent attack knows what that is like your memory replays the horror again and again and again you can't get it out of your mind it's there when you're in the car is then where you're in the shower it's there where you're in your bed my soul verse 20 remembers it continually [00:01:58]

because if a rite gives the sense of verse 20 translating and expanding the sense of the original words with this I vividly frequently painfully wretchedly continually remember until my soul sinks down into misery and depression that's where these people were and wonderful though the hope of heaven is at that point it's very significant that the word that God brings to them in this depth is not to say hey there'll be heaven one day [00:02:35]

that's the ultimate hope but here we're dealing with the need of an immediate hope and so do you see how very significant it is that when we come to verse 21 we have these words now this I call to mind and therefore I have hope this is the same person that said all of these things about the trauma but but now this grieving person says there's an intentional and determined decision that I keep making [00:03:16]

that as often as my mind is taken back and back and back to the horrors I call to mind something else when I've lost peace when I've forgotten what happiness is this there's something that I have found that I can do and this is what is helping me and you say well now what in the world is this what in the world is this then the a person could call to mind when they've lost peace forgotten what happiness is [00:03:57]

their hope has perished that endurance is gone and here it is this I call to mind the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases his mercies never come to an end they are new every morning great is your faithfulness one of the members of our grief group that I've referred to in each of these messages said that in the early days of her grief after her son was killed in a terrible accident [00:04:31]

she felt as if she was in a pit and that she was sinking and she was faced with a question how in the world do I get out of this she could feel herself going down and she said I learned to thank God for the smallest things I thanked God that the sky was blue that the Sun was shining and if I heard a bird sing I would say thank you Lord and every time I thanked God for something I felt as if I were taking a tiny step out of the pit [00:05:19]

do you see how significant this is the the focus of hope for the person in the depth of sorrow trying to put a life together in the rubble and in the ruins is not in God's ultimate purpose which will be wonderfully realized on another and far better day the focus of that hope is in God's immediate presence God's mercies for you brother and sister are new every morning and will be sufficient for each and every day [00:06:18]

your Redeemer is faithful and he is true he is with you he is for you and he has said I will never leave you and I will never forsake you [00:06:55]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?