When you are grieving

(Psalm 31)

Definition of Grief .           “Grief is a reaction to a major loss. It is most often an unhappy and painful emotion.” .           Grieving is not something done to us, but rather something we do. .           Grieving isn't continuous, but it is recurring. Causes of Grief  They can be triggered by: The death of a loved one; A chronic or an incurable illness; The end of a significant relationship. ARE YOU GRIEVING?  IS GRIEF NATURAL? 1 Peter 1:6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:” ¡  We are not immune to troubles; ¡  They are part and parcel of life. ¡  They should not be prolonged.   .           INTRODUCTION 1.         OUR MOMENTS OF GRIEF (v.9-13) 2.         OUR COMMITMENT IN GRIEF (v.1-8) 3.         OUR ENCOURAGEMENT IN GRIEF (v.14-24) .         CONCLUSION 1. OUR MOMENTS OF GRIEF (v.9-13) Psalm 31:9-10 “Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.”   How grief has affected HIM  .           Emotionally affected – His soul & life are threatened (v.9); .           Physically affected - His eye is consumed with grief, his belly, his bones are consumed as well– death (v.12); .           Psychologically – His fears of enemies multiplied (v.11-13); .           Spiritually affected – His brokenness (v.12).   5 Stages of Grief  Denial àRationalizeàAngeràDepressionàAcceptance  ¡  Denial (This isn't happening to me!) ¡   Rationalizing (It cannot be true…) ¡   Anger (Why is this happening?) ¡   Depression (I don't care anymore!) ¡   Acceptance (Lord, thy will be done)   How grief can affect us  .           The act of grieving is an intrusion on our physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive worlds: .           We are hurt physically: shoulders, chest, arms, legs, head. .           Our emotions, especially our heart feels trampled and irreparable.   FURTHERMORE…  .           Our social connections have been severed; we've lost our sense of direction; .           Spiritually, we wonder about God, and question our faith and beliefs; .           Cognitively, we are filled with irrational thoughts and wonder if we've truly gone crazy!   2.         OUR COMMITMENT IN GRIEF  ¡  Psalm 31:5 “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” (cf. Luke 23:46) ¡  The Psalmist’s unshaken confidence in God; resting on God's faithfulness. ¡  God has helped me before – He will help me again.  WITH REFERENCE TO WHO GOD IS TO US: HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (v.1) HIS DEFENCE / HIS PROTECTION (v.2,3a) HIS NAME (v.3b) HIS STRENGTH (v.4) HIS TRUTHFULNESS (v.5) 3. OUR ENCOURAGEMENT IN GRIEF ¡  Psalm 31:19 “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” ¡  Realizing how good God is to us. ¡  Counting the blessings of God to us! ¡  Looking on the right perspective of life; ¡  Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” ¡  Finding strength and grace in the LORD; ¡  There is hope for the people of God! ¡  The endless hope will be our consolation.  CONCLUSION ¡  Psalm 31:22 “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.” ¡  See the example of Peter (Acts 12:6); ¡  There was loss, grief and uncertainty; ¡  Prayer can only help so much…(v.5,12).   VERSE TO REMEMBER Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”