We must also remember this is a season, and as with any season, it will eventually pass. If you have not attended a Griefshare program, I strongly encourage you to seek out a class that will start after the holidays. In one of the sessions of Griefshare, Dr. Stephen Viars says this, "There is a difference between thinking this is a bad chapter and this is the last chapter." Yes, this is a bad chapter and yes this pandemic has again shown us as widows that we are without our husbands; as if we needed another reminder. But it is just that: another chapter in our journey of widowhood. So many are feeling the loneliness that we experience every day. Jesus, who was not caught off guard by this affliction, lets us know that we are never alone. He tells us in John 16:32-33 NIV, "A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home (sound familiar). You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." We have that promise to stand firm in that Jesus has won the war, we are just finishing up the battles to get to the victory tour!!!
As we go through this Thanksgiving and the rest of this year, focus on being thankful. A thankful heart cannot be downcast. Focus on what God has done for you, the blessings that you have been gifted. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Always thank God and give Him the glory with everything!! When we are connected to Him anything is possible. Apart from Him and we are like dead fruit hanging off of a dried up branch. John 15:5 NIV states, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." We must stay connected to His word, focus on His teachings, read Christian devotionals, listen to worship music. Look at his beautiful artwork of sunrises and/or sunsets. All the while thank Him for each moment, whether those moments are good or bad. Praise Him all the same. In Psalm 100:4-5 we read, "Enter his gate with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
I am so thankful for the cross. The cross symbolizes death but also is a symbol for renewal. Christ died on the cross to give us a new life through Him, an eternal life. He took every sin upon Himself and nailed it all to the cross. Jesus shed His blood for all of us. He gave us the best gift, He laid down His life so we can have eternal life. From another Griefshare session, Dr. Paul David Tripp says something that really struck me. He said that the cross shows good things can come from bad things. The cross is where we take our burdens and troubles, anxiety, depression, dependence on any substance, our earthly idols, anything that takes the place of Jesus and we lay them down at the cross. Jesus was nailed to that cross and He sacrificed Himself there. By doing that, He wiped away all sin and the sting of death. Yes, we must ask for forgiveness and confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts that He is our Savior. When we do this, we accept His gift of salvation and an eternal life in heaven. Colossians 2:13-15 NIV tells us, "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." The penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. And for that we should all be so thankful!! We are so thankful for Christ sacrifice and His gift to us of eternal life with Him. Psalm 9:1 NIV says, "I will gives thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."
I am so grateful for Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I am so thankful that God has brought us this far into 2020. I know God is still right there with us, holding us as we walk the path of widowhood and this crazy path of 2020. I am thankful that Jesus choose to lay His life down for us!! Focus on the blessings and the good moments that inspire us to keep moving forward. God has won the war, we are just fighting next to Him in these battles. God will bring us through!! For that I am so very thankful!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. Stay safe and well!! Love to you all!!
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