“Good” Grief

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

If you have ever watched a Peanuts special, then you have heard Charlie Brown’s signature expression, “Good grief.” But did you know there is such a thing we could call “good” grief?

The word for “mourn” that Jesus used is the most severe of all nine Greek words used for grief in Scripture. It is reserved for mourning the dead. And this verse certainly applies in principle to all who mourn any loss.

So, are you mourning today? When you lose someone who is close to you, you don’t get over it like people want you to. You never plan for such a thing. Yet Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” There is a blessedness, or maybe even a happiness, in mourning.

Some good things can come out of mourning. One is that you gain a new perspective. You see things differently. Some of the things that were important to you before are not nearly as important to you now. And some of the things that were not as important to you before become very important to you now.

You get a different view of life and find yourself longing for heaven more. We may think more specifically about heaven because someone so close to us is there. So you long more for heaven. And you find yourself drawing close to God because, quite frankly, there is nowhere else to go.

Can you imagine what might have come of you had you not had hope? Hope in our Savior and what He did on the cross for us. Hope in seeing your loved one again. Hope in teaching your children about the love of God a love so great He sent His only Son to die on a cross so that we may have eternal life with Him and with all those who believe in Christ Jesus. How could we not have hope, knowing the promises that God has given you in His Word?

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, we are commanded, “Do not grieve as those with no hope.” We will see our loved ones again! Heaven is real, and until it is time for us to join God there with our loved ones, we have work to be done here. God has a plan that far exceeds our expectations. Though we may not understand or see the works as He does, we must trust in His ways and use every opportunity to glorify the Lord in everything we do!

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Bob

Finance information: We are once again meeting for Worship but we are still recommending that you mail your offerings into the church. We will dedicate your gifts to God. If you bring your offering into church with you, the usher will direct you to the offering basket.
* Monday’s of every week we will collect, record and deposit any pledges, Donations and Loose Funds. Please mail to the church at: 1st UMC of Chenango Bridge, PO Box 501, Chenango Bridge, 13745.
* Bank Accounts and Expenses will be reviewed weekly to ensure Bills are paid in a timely manner.
* Any financial questions should be directed to David Lewis at 607.727.0250.
* Search for any potential financial opportunities that will provide additional income to meet the continue operation expenses through this unknown period.
God Bless & Stay Safe, FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, CHENANGO BRIDGE-CHURCH COUNCIL