Remain in the Word
Paul reminds us in his letter to the church in Thessalonica that we do “not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). But what exactly does that mean? In this series, we explore what it looks like to honor God in our grief and examine the ways we can choose to grieve with hope.
This week, a huge box arrived on our front doorstep. Another big box was in the huge box. In the big box was a fan, or I should say, all the parts for a fan. Lots and lots of parts. Lots of parts to a fan with lots of blades —unlike any fan we’ve ever had before.
Once my husband opened the box, pulled all of the parts out, and scattered them around our living room floor, he then reached in the box for the instructions. I looked at the parts on the ground and then looked at my husband. He’s a handy, do-it-yourself kind of guy, and we’ve installed fans before. But this fan was different.
I watched him flip through the instruction book. Every so often, he would look over the top of the instruction book and look at the pieces at his feet. Finally, he sat the instruction book down and picked up a fan blade.
Instructions are important. I would hate to think how long it would take to put the 8-blade fan together without the instruction manual.
Life as a grieving mom is difficult without the Lord’s instruction manual for life—His Word. The Bible. The Bible is full of ways to take the pieces of our life after loss and make us whole again.
I would hate to think what our fan would look like if we tried to put it together without following the instructions. There is a reason the manufacturer included the instructions; they knew we would need them.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105
Our Lord gave us His Word to encourage us and to show us the way to live victorious lives in spite of our suffering. Before David declared the Lord’s Word the lamp illuminating his path, he lamented,
“My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!” Psalms 119:28
David knew his strength came from God’s Word. He cried out to the Lord in his sorrow and confusion, but he knew His strength came from the Lord.
When we are grieving, it’s often the time we find it the hardest to read God’s Word. But it is the most important time to open the pages of the Bible and look for all the places where the Lord has been faithful to His people. In our grief, we can find comfort in His Word. His Word is our instruction manual for putting our shattered lives back together.
“For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me
and guide me.” Psalms 31:3
Just like I wouldn’t want my husband to try to put together the new fan without using the instructions, I wouldn’t want to take a trip without a map. God’s Word is the map helping us navigate down the path of grief. His Word guides us on the journey.
Even though it is often hard to read our Bibles when we are full of sorrow, doubt, and maybe even fear, that is exactly the time we need to the most.
I never, never, never have regretted reading my Bible. If you are struggling to read your Bible, I want to encourage you to open it up and let the Lord speak to you. Let His Word light your path with His promises. You won’t be sorry. I promise.
- Shelly
Hope Mom to Zachary Robert
Shelly D. Templin is an author, speaker and blogger that shares a message of hope—with humor. She has three daughters, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter. Shelly lives in Texas with her husband, Jack, of 29 years and their two dogs.
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