Some days, when it can’t get any worse, it does. Leading to a complicated grief.
This tangled story of deception is not ours alone.
No. All along the darkening path, we meet others who know. And understand.
Deceiver
They too have watched in disbelief.
As their loved ones believe the lie. Defrauded by trusted family members or friends. And losing everything in the process.
Everything.
Yet. Still. Our loved ones are drawn back. Into the web. Trusting the deceiver again.
And again.
Brokenness
God’s design in the beginning was beautiful and perfect. Flawless. But Adam and Eve sinned.
And that sin immediately resulted in shame. Brokenness. Separation from God, the Holy One.
Death.
And all have sinned. All. And fallen short of the glory of God.
God makes a way
In the middle of such darkness, God already has a plan. He makes a way. By sending His Son to take our sin upon Himself.
Christ died on the cross. The unblemished sacrifice bearing every transgression. Every sin. Dying once for all.
He was buried in a tomb. And resurrected on the third day. Astounding many witnesses.
Victorious over sin and death.
Glorious.
Fog of deception
In this world, sin still leads to brokenness. Fragmenting societies. Communities. Families.
In our particular situation, truthful love was offered and rejected. The fog of lies created separation. Distance.
Endeavors to help and rebuild were dismantled. Scattered. Trashed. With a return to the arms of deception.
And treacherous comfort of false promises.
Guarantees offered sound so good in the moment. But never materialize.
“Help, Lord!”
The deceiver comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.
So we plead. “Help, Lord!”
Yesterday’s good times. Memorable gatherings. Now distant.
Blurred by intervening years that never end with their setbacks. Truth rejected. Denied.
Resources spent.
With nothing to show for it. Nothing.
Complicated grief
One week, in the confusion of events. Not knowing what else to pray. My heart cry is one single phrase.
Over and over.
“Your will be done, Father.”
And not long after, we hear sad news. Our loved one has died.
In shock, we grieve.
A complicated grief.
The One who rescues
In the days and weeks that follow, I stop and remember that repeated prayer. “Your will be done, Father.”
And draw near to our Good Shepherd. The One who rescues and saves. Holding the lambs close to His heart.
I don’t understand why things happen as they do. But in battles lost or won, I know to simply come.
To Him. The Sovereign One. The Beginning and the End.
Comfort
In the unknown and unfinished, I surrender. And find true rest. In the God of all comfort.
For even this.
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
What about you?
Have you been rejected by someone you tried to rescue? Have you suffered through complicated grief? How has the Lord encouraged you in the midst of such brokenness?
Related posts
What are we to do? – Prodigal, part 1 – Prodigal redeemed – True sanctuary – Sovereign – Coming through the night – Brokenness – Set free on the Sabbath – Untraceable ways – Crushed – Crisis – Dare to hope –
12 replies on “Complicated grief”
So beautifully written. Thank you. It resonates with me. I’m sorry for your grief.
Thank you, Heather. Grace to you, sister.
Grief has so many forms. The Deceiver never acts mercifully. Roaring lions kill without consideration or compassion. We grieve and pray for those we love to know the freedom and mercy we experience in His Presence.
I know you know, friend. Thanks for sharing–so true about roaring lions!
And I’m sure it’s complicated of how to know what to say in response to this death. Reaching out to those related to the person who died. Praying for you as you do.
Thank you. Thankful for the assurance that He is Sovereign.
“Some days, when it can’t get any worse, it does.”
Yes and Yes.
Complicated grief for several situations.
I remember 1 Corinthians 1 — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
Yes, you understand. Thank you for sharing this Scripture–something I hold onto, that He is the God of ALL comfort. Grace to you, sister.
My heart is sadden to know you are in this place. You are a master with your words expressing your heart. I can feel it. Love you
This was written earlier but we’re at the one-year anniversary and both felt it was time to share. We’ve met so many on this same journey.
“Have you been rejected by someone you tried to rescue? Have you suffered through complicated grief?” Yes. Yes.
Anniversaries can be really hard too. I can deeply identify with everything you said, Thank you for sharing this. We stand together in prayer to the one who “can” help us in all things.