“He (Jesus) was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” Isaiah 53:3
Be Quiet. Sit still and silent for 2 minutes. Let your mind be aware that God is present with you. When you get distracted, don’t fight with yourself. Simply turn your thoughts again to Him. Imagine the delight your Father feels because you showed-up to be with Him! Breath slowly and relax.
Scripture. “He (Jesus) was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” Isaiah 53:3
Meditation. Would you write something like this for your bio? “Sorrow is my name; grief is my game. I’m despicable. When people see me coming, they be leaving.” I can’t imagine you’d present yourself in that way, much less be OK with someone else doing it.
Isaiah prophesied Christ’s sufferings roughly 700 years beforehand. Jesus was scripted for rejection and profound grief. He was a man of sorrows, but He wasn’t morose. Knowing the strategy and the endgame, He was able to bear the loss of heavenly beauty and face the brokenness of earth and humanity. The breath of our redemption relied on His final respiration. And His 3-day term in a cold, stone tomb was the path toward resurrection. The result is for us full redemption and bright hope as we struggle with brokenness. Hope sustains us while we mourn our losses. There are gifts to be opened and buried treasures to be banked. Our every groan is a note in a new song of praise.
Question to Ponder. Check the losses you’ve suffered in your lifetime. Circle the ones you continue to grieve; consider your next step in facing them:
| __ Death of a child | __ Incurable disease |
| __ Moving to another location | __ Betrayal |
| __ Infertility | __ Financial downturn |
| __ Premature death of loved one | __ Divorce or breakup |
| __ Rape | __ Faded friendship |
| __ Abuse (spiritual, emotional, or sexual) | __ Burglarized or pick-pocketed |
| __ Shattering of a lifelong dream | |
| __ Parent or child with addiction | __ Disability |
| __ Ostracization from peers | __ Public disgrace |
| __ Disillusionment with Jesus and/or the church | |
| __ Mental/physical incapacity | __ Demoted or fired from job |
| __ Other |
Connect with God. Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to not run from my losses, but surrender control and let You heal and deepen me. However long the sting of sorrow lasts, please hold me in Your tenderness and birth something beautiful within me. And when the time comes, let me be a source of comfort and hope to others.
Connect with Others. Think of someone who’s been coping with losses similar to yours. Contact them with a word of encouragement or a request for prayer.