grief – Be Still…

Job 2:11-13 – When You Need a Friend

Read Job 2:11-13

Who is that one person, one friend, whom you turn to when calamity strikes? That’s probably the same person who would rush to your aid if you had suffered a tragedy. In this reading, we see three friends have come to Job’s side during his time of great loss.

At first, I got stuck on where all these friends were from based on how they are introduced to us. But, we’re not even sure where Uz is, the town that Job hails from. Nor have scholars agreed as to the time period in which Job lived. So for purposes of our reflections, we are going to simplify that Job was a man of God who had three friends. Job’s example will help us all in our own time of testing. Continue reading “Job 2:11-13 – When You Need a Friend”

2 Samuel 19:1-8 – Business Must Go On

Read 2 Samuel 19:1-8

Neon sign that says, "Come in, we're OPEN"

Joab doesn’t have much compassion for David’s mournful spirit. In his abrupt fashion, Joab reminds David that business must go on. David was almost rudely plucked from his grieving to get on with being a king. Had he thought how his behavior would be making his army and throng of supporters feel? Minimized to be sure.

Sometimes we need that advisor or friend in our lives to shake us up a bit. Especially when we find ourselves wallowing in a non-beneficial pool of muck. Sometimes we are comfortable in our agony. Sometimes we just want to shut out the world and have some quiet time.

2 Samuel 18:19-33 – To Grieve or Not to Grieve

Read 2 Samuel 18:19-33

Why was Zadok’s son so eager to give King David the news, and then not tell him about his son’s fate? If you’ve ever lost a child or known someone who has, you know the agony of loss. It’s like the order of things, the circle of life, if you will, are all messed up. Who in their right mind would want to deliver that news?

As it turns out, even bold Joab knew the news would be devastating to the king. That’s why he called up an Ethiopian to bring the news to spare any harm of the king’s wrath, to his own men. The outsider did not have the same fear or dread that held Ahimaaz back from revealing Absalom’s death.

2 Samuel 1:17-27 – Take Time to Grieve

Read 2 Samuel 1:17-27

diagram of a cloud filled with words like loss, despair, sadness, grief, pain that is raining down blue droplets of all sizes

David is a very talented musician. We might forget that piece of his character with all the fighting and displays of his military might. David was quite an individual. We all have different ways of mourning our losses, and in this case, David turns to song.

David was progressing through the stages of grief identified by the Kübler-Ross model. The five stages of grief are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Other models would add guilt. People move through these emotions in different ways. I think David used this song as he worked through these stages.

Proverbs 25:15-28 – An Understanding Friend

Read Proverbs 25:15-28

Think of the friends you have had over your lifetime. Say a silent, all-inclusive prayer for them that God will meet their needs today. Some may have passed on, others you see regularly, and others have gone their way and may be totally out of touch. It’s interesting how life happens, and friends come and go.

The proverb I chose today speaks volumes on how we can be an understanding friend to someone going through a dark season. Verse 20 says, “Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.” I am one that believes music can heal anything. Musicians are like that. However, we are warned here in this nugget of wisdom. Don’t be too cheery around friends who are struggling. It doesn’t help. Your upbeat demeanor is NOT going to “rub off.” It may even make the situation worse, like pouring vinegar on a wound – ouch!