I’m learning that for every season that ends, even joyous seasons, there is a period of grief. A longing to hold on for just a little bit longer, the feeling of loss, wishing that you had just a little more time.
I’d rather avoid grief. I’d rather skip over those umcomfy feelings, hop past the tears, and jump right into the next season.
But in Matthew 5:4, Jesus speaks these words, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” We are called to mourn. We are called to allow those feelings to surface, to process through them. The second part of this verse tells us why-in order for Jesus to provide comfort, we must experience the grief. If we hide the grief from ourselves and those around us, we are also hiding it from Jesus. But when we let Him in, when we grieve, when we allow Him to comfort us, that’s where we find healing.
Without that healing, we continue to carry the unprocessed grief which resurfaces in unhealthy ways: physically, mentally, in relationships, etc.
He’s reminding me of this today as I attempt to avoid my grief. Yesterday I avoided packing to avoid my feelings. But at the end of the day, I still had to pack and the feelings are still there.
I’m sad. I’m sad this season is ending. I’m sad to leave home again. I’m sad to say goodbye to my friends, my family, my church, my community.
This is why we have to find joy in everyday life, in every season, because soon it will come to an end. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13: “I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor-it is the gift of God.”
At the end of each season begins a new one. Last week I was given a verse:
Isaiah 58:11: “The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
My God never fails. He is good. He is faithful. And even when I can’t see a clear path, I choose to trust Him.
How do you experience grief? How do you process through change? Where do you need to let Jesus into your life?
Are you finding joy in each day? Are you finding joy in each season? What verses speak to you and give you hope in uncertainty?
