“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
I can appreciate the journey despite the hurtles along the way.
What’s that piece of advice that almost everyone gives when you’re grieving? “Remember the good times, the good things.” “Think about what that person would want you to do or think or feel.” “Try not to focus on the fact that they’re gone, but be grateful for the time that you did have.” And while these mantras can be annoying when you’re not ready to hear them… it doesn’t make them any less true.
Grief and Gratefulness. I don’t necessarily consider them the kind of partners that walk hand in hand all the time in your emotion space. But Gratefulness can be a great support to your grief process. Finding something to be grateful for can make getting through each day after the loss just a little easier. If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one then yes, being grateful for the blessing they were in your life, the lessons they taught you, the memories you made can put a smile on your face or even draw a laugh. If you’re grieving the loss of a position, a promotion or an opportunity, being grateful for what you learned along the way, how you’ve grown and improved in the process. Even if you’re grieving the loss of a friendship or a mentor, being able to be grateful for how much joy it brought you during the process and the better person you’ve become for this leg in the journey. There’s always something to be grateful for, even if you’re just grateful to still be here able to live each day. And if you find yourself unable to find gratefulness in even that… there is help out there to bring you forward in your journey out of that dark pit. So, let me affirm you and encourage your journey to gratefulness this morning, with the hopes that it will improve your grief process.
Affirmation 1: Hurtles are designed to jump over. When you think about a hurtle and its purpose on the track, you are supposed to see it in front of you, push yourself to the right point of execution, and position yourself accordingly to get over it. Hurtles are not surprises, and while that doesn’t make them easy, it does make conquering it tangible. So flex your muscles, and get over that hurtle all the while appreciating the rigorous training that got you here and made it possible for you to do it.
Affirmation 2: There’s a bigger picture and it’s not grim. God’s plan for your life ends with happiness not pain and sorrow. It doesn’t mean there won’t be any along the way but his ultimate desire for you is that you be happy. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) That’s what he told Jeremiah. The plans are for good, a future and hope. If you hold on to that and can be grateful that greater is coming… grief doesn’t have to be as bad.
Affirmation 3: There’s a lesson in the journey. You are who you are not because of where you are but because of how you got there. The journey is everything. So even though there are obstacles and hurtles along the way, even though there are hills and valleys on this road of life, let the journey be the best part of it.
Grief sucks. It just does. But you can conquer it, I believe in you and I love you. Keep conquering daily.
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