A Source of Comfort

The Source of Comfort Yahoo/Inbox

Deloris Davis, Associate Pastor <pastoraldepttah@gmail.com> What do you do when you have experienced a deep loss? Well, grief is a natural emotional response to the loss of something or someone close, or can also occur after a serious illness, a divorce or some other significant loss. Emotionally, it involves intense sadness, and sometimes feelings of shock, numbness, or even denial and anger. It can feel overwhelming. Mentally you may experience forgetfulness, find it hard to concentrate, or experience poor memory and confusion. It can also affect your behavior such as changes in your sleep patterns, cause dreams, nightmares and affect your eating habits. You may even just want to be alone and sit by yourself. Others who love you and know you may find it hard to know just what to say or how to offer comfort and support…especially if they have not gone through the type of loss you are experiencing. If you find yourself in that situation: pray, be a good listener, respect the person's way of grieving, don't take changes in mood personally, avoid giving advice, help out with practical tasks, stay connected and available or just offer words that touch the heart. For those of us who have experienced or are experiencing deep loss; I personally…have to use the Word of God. As a pastor I am often called upon to talk or counsel with someone who has lost a loved one or experienced loss in another significant way. I needed to depend upon God when ministering to others in their grief and I needed to depend upon His Word even the more recently during my time of grief. As believers we are taught that we will and do grieve when we lose a loved one; but that we do not grieve as others which have no hope, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. There are many types of grief. In order for me to understand fully what I am going through, I went into prayer, researched and discovered that grief is universal; yet everyone experiences it in a way that is unique to them. I discovered that there are different kinds of loss; they are personal, and only you know what is significant to you. There are obvious losses; such as the death of a family member, classmate or colleague, or relationship breakup etc. There are also subtle or less obvious losses; such as leaving home, death of a pet, change of job, loss of physical ability or financial security. The loss can be sudden, shocking or even predictable. The entire world went through some form of loss during the pandemic not so long ago. No matter what type of loss you may experience, I encourage you to seek out the source of comfort. "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) God is the source of ALL comfort! He knows us and knows everything that we have gone through, will go through and endure. He knows that during those times we will need his presence which is through the Holy Spirit! Through every happy time and every difficult time the Source sent the Comforter! I encourage you that when loss, difficulties, or trial interrupt or change life as we know it, look to the source of all comfort. Rest and abide in the assurance that you are not alone. God will use his Words to comfort, and display his loving concern and comfort through others too; so that you will be able to do the same for someone else one day. If you find yourself struggling and are in need of counsel through your time of loss, contact your church, pastor or seek individual or group counseling. You do not have to go it alone. There is support and resources. Pray to the source. He will direct and comfort you. Deloris Davis, Associate Pastor