Good Grief

Grief, sorrow, and suffering are inevitable parts of life. Whether you’re facing a difficult season yourself or walking alongside someone who is, understanding how to grieve and cope through a biblical lens is crucial. The good news is, God offers a way to handle grief that leads to healing, redemption, and restoration. Let's explore the concept of "Good Grief" and how we can experience the hope of Jesus even in the darkest times.

Two Responses to Grief: Peter vs. Judas
In the Bible, we find two powerful examples of grief: Peter’s godly grief and Judas’ worldly sorrow.
In Luke 22:54-62, Peter denies Jesus three times, filled with shame and regret. When the rooster crowed, Peter wept bitterly. This grief was not the end for him, though. Later, in John 21, after Jesus’ resurrection, He lovingly restores Peter. The very smell of the charcoal fire—the same smell from the night of his denial—reminds Peter of his failure. Yet, Jesus offers him grace and forgiveness, inviting him to begin again.

Peter’s grief leads to repentance, healing, and restoration. God uses Peter’s brokenness to bring about redemption, offering him a new purpose and a future filled with hope.

On the other hand, Judas’ sorrow after betraying Jesus in Matthew 27:1-5 leads to despair. Unable to handle his guilt, he throws away the thirty pieces of silver and ultimately takes his own life. Judas did not seek redemption. Instead, he allowed his grief to spiral into hopelessness, rejecting the grace that was available to him.

The Choice We Face
We all experience grief and sorrow, but how we respond makes all the difference. Peter shows us that grief, when met with repentance and faith in Jesus, leads to healing. Judas shows us the destructive path of sorrow without hope.

When we go through tough times, whether it’s grief from loss, guilt from sin, or emotional pain, we have two choices: We can either turn to Jesus for restoration, or we can try to handle it on our own and risk being consumed by our grief.

Dealing with Grief in a Healthy Way
Grief is often a burden we carry for longer than we should. Over time, it becomes part of who we are—like a heavy weight on our backs. But just like the character in Pilgrim’s Progress, we can lay down our burdens at the cross and receive the healing we need. We don’t have to stay burdened by anxiety, guilt, or pain. Jesus offers us freedom.

For many of us, we find comfort in coping mechanisms like work, relationships, or distractions. But these "God-replacements" only offer temporary relief. They don't provide the lasting peace that Jesus does. The key to healing is turning to Jesus, embracing His grace, and allowing Him to transform us.

Grief in Community
One of the most powerful ways to handle grief is through community. The Church is meant to be a place where we grieve together, sharing each other's burdens and pointing each other to Christ. When you’re in pain, don’t isolate yourself. Reach out to others—whether it’s family, friends, or a support group like ReGen at Central Christian Church. Don’t let your grief pull you away from the hope that is found in Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul reminds us that God comforts us so that we can comfort others in their times of need. Your story of healing can be the hope someone else needs to hear.

Jesus Makes All Things New
Jesus didn’t come to leave us in our brokenness; He came to restore us. Revelation 21:5 tells us that Jesus will make all things new. No matter what we face, whether it's betrayal, loss, or failure, God promises that He will redeem us.
Even in our brokenness, God is at work, creating something beautiful out of our scars. Just like the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, our brokenness can be transformed into something beautiful through God’s grace.

A Call to Hope
As we grieve, let’s remember to grieve with hope. This world is broken, but in Christ, we find restoration. There is healing, redemption, and forgiveness to be found only in Jesus. His grace is greater than our pain, and His love is enough to carry us through.

If you are struggling today, remember this: You are not your circumstances. You are not defined by your grief, your failures, or your pain. You are a beloved child of God, and He has made a way for you to experience freedom and healing in Him.

If you’ve never experienced the grace of Jesus, today is the day to turn to Him. Don’t let your grief define you. Let the hope of Christ bring you peace, healing, and restoration.
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Practical Steps:

• Don’t go through grief alone. Reach out to others in your church or community for support.
• Take time to process your grief with Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and reflection.
• Embrace the hope of redemption. Trust that Jesus is making all things new, even in the midst of your struggles.

Remember, in Christ, there is always hope, and there is always a way forward. May His peace, comfort, and grace fill your heart today.