Moving Forward
Take Time to Grieve – Schedule it
There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
– Ecclesiastes 3:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning.
– Ecclesiastes 7:4
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
– Matthew 5:4
When Aaron had perished, all the house of Israel wept for 30 days.
– Numbers 20:29
And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab 30 days.
– Deuteronomy 34:8
Joseph wept for his father Jacob for 70 days.
– Genesis 50:3
Job mourned for 7 days and 7 nights.
– Job 2:13
Abraham went to mourn for (his wife) Sarah, and to weep for her.
– Genesis 23:2
As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of Heaven.
– Nehemiah 1:4
Be miserable and mourn and weep, Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.
– James 4:9
The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.
– Lamentations 5:15
Mourn with others – Allow others to support and comfort
Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.
- 1 Samuel 30:4
But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went.
- 2 Samuel 15:30
When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments.
- Exodus 33:4
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
- Romans 12:15
Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. They mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died by the sword.
- 2 Samuel 1: 11-12
Lament Prayer- Passionately express grief or sorrow to God
Rise up and help us. Save us because of your faithful love.
- Psalm 44:26
God, listen to my prayer. Pay attention to my cry for help. Hear me and answer me. My thoughts upset me. I’m very troubled.
- Psalm 55:1-2
I feel great pain deep down inside me. The terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have taken hold of me. Panic has overpowered me.
- Psalm 55:4-5
You have been Angry. Now turn back to us!
- Psalm 60:1
Save us and help us by your power. Do this so that those you love may be saved.
- Psalm 60:5
Help us against our enemies. The help people give doesn’t amount to anything.
- Psalm 60:11
God, hear me as I tell you my problem.
- Psalm 64:1
God, have mercy on us and bless us. May You be pleased with us.
- Psalm 67:1
God, save me. My troubles are like a flood. I’m up to my neck in them. I’m sinking in deep mud. I have no firm place to stand. I am out in deep water. The waves roll over me. I’m worn out from calling for help. My throat is very dry. My eyes grow tired looking for my God.
- Psalm 69:1-3
But Lord, I pray to you. May this be the time you help me. God, answer me because you love me so much. Save me, as you always do. Save me from the trouble I’m in.
- Psalm 69:13-14
I’m in pain. I’m in deep trouble. God, save me and keep me safe.
- Psalm 69:29
Lord, hear me and answer me. I am poor and needy. Keep my life safe, because I am faithful to you. Save me, because I trust in you. You are my God. Lord, have mercy on me. I call out to you all day long. Bring joy to me. Lord, I put my trust in you. Lord, you are forgiving and good. You are full of love for all who call out to you. Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry for mercy.
- Psalm 86:1-6
Hope, Peace, and Rest - Seek God’s comfort
The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He’ll never desert you. So, don’t be afraid. Don’t lose hope.
- Deuteronomy 31:8
May Peace be with you! Do not be afraid.
- Judges 6:23
I will keep my eyes always on the Lord. He is at my right hand. So I will always be secure.
- Psalm 16:8
The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need. He lets me lie down in fields of green grass. He leads me beside quiet waters. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths for the honor of his name. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid.
- Psalm 23: 1-4
We wait in hope for the Lord. He helps us. He is like a shield that keeps us safe. Our hearts are full of joy because of him. We trust in him, because He is holy. Lord, may your faithful love be with us. We put our hope in you.
- Psalm 33:20-22
“Be Still, and know that I am God. I will be honored among the nations. I will be honored in the earth.”
- Psalm 46:10
“I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.”
- Jeremiah 29:11
“Come to me, all you who are tired and carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.”
- Matthew 11:28
“I leave my Peace with you. I give my Peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”
- John 14:27
“I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.”
- John 16:33
May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
- Romans 15:13
Our hope is certain. It is something for the soul to hold on to. It is strong and secure.
- Hebrews 6:19
Turn all your worries over to God. He cares about you.
- 1 Peter 5:7
Then young women will dance and be glad. And so will the men, young and old alike. I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will comfort them. And I will give them joy instead of sorrow.
- Jeremiah 31:13
Encourage Others - Comfort God’s people
“Comfort my people,” says our God. “Comfort them.”
- Isaiah 40:1
Turn your worries over to the Lord. He will keep you going. He will never let Godly people be shaken.
- Psalm 55:22
Encourage one another in the faith we share.
- Romans 1:12
Be joyful with those who are joyful. Be sad with those who are sad.
- Romans 12:15
Our God is a God who strengthens and encourages you. May He give you the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had.
- Romans 15:5
Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who gives tender love. All comfort comes from him. He comforts us in all our troubles. Now we can comfort others when they are in trouble. We ourselves receive comfort from God.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Carry one another’s heavy loads. If you do, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
- Galatians 6:2
So encourage one another with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
So let us come near to God with a sincere heart.
- Hebrews 10:22
Let us hold firmly to the hope we claim to have. The God who promised is faithful. Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works.
- Hebrews 10:23-24
Thoughts
Pausing to reflect is necessary for our mind to process that which has taken hold of our heart. No matter the fears, frustrations, addictions, rejections, health issues, financial woes, inadequacies, or losses; we have much to gain by taking a pause. Scheduling time to contemplate is definitely not what we’d rather be doing, but when we let our guard down to God, our healing journey begins.
Take time to pause and be still. Take time to refocus on our best friend forever, who is with us every moment of every day, and with whom we have the privilege of spending eternity with. Know that through Him, we have hope and peace beyond that which we can understand. Be aware that God IS our beloved always and forever.
May the Lord who gives peace, give you peace at all times and in every way.
May the Lord be with all of you.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16