She is a mom, wife, and passionate believer that Jesus changes everything.
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Per usual, please read the entire post below because it is the framework for today’s challenge. Also, I have included a worksheet for you to download at the bottom of the post.
Yesterday, I asked you to contemplate the compassion and comfort God has given you, especially when you have faced trials. How did that go for you? Did it help you see more of God’s goodness in your life or was it challenging in a way that helped you to see the need to focus on God’s movement more instead of your circumstances?
As we covered on Day 1 and 2 of the Be The Light Challenge, attitude dramatically shapes our perspective. When we choose to see God and trust that he is at work more peace, joy, love, and other Fruit of the Spirit emerge. But when we look at our circumstances, our desires, and our trials, then we start to focus on the waves (just like Peter did) and not Christ, which makes us began floundering.
And negativity makes us sink.
Of course, 2020 has been difficult for just about everyone in one way or the other, and there is a select group of people who have had it worse than most. In particular, I am talking about those who are grieving right now.
Every year as the holiday season comes around, there are countless people who are quietly grieving and wondering how they will get through their first Christmas without their loved one.
While the world goes on basking in the excitement of Christmas, these people are carrying around heavy burdens-a broken heart and a new reality without their loved one.
My first miscarriage happened on Christmas Day 2011, and I can tell you till this day, Christmas still has a heaviness to it for me. While I love Christmas, I also carry the child I lost with me, especially on Christmas Day.
Part of being the light in the world is recognizing and responding to those who are suffering.
While Christians are excellent at providing meals and other kinds of practical help when someone first loses a loved one, after a few weeks, the support tends to quiet down, and most people either move on, forget, or aren’t sure how to continue supporting a grieving person in the long run.
But what we need to do is periodically check in with them. We need to purposefully tell them, “I see you and I know what you are going through is difficult.” And we must do this well after the passing of their loved one.
This is how the compassion, love and light of Christ is spread to this special community of people. Just as we went over yesterday in examining how God has shown us compassion in difficulties, we too must share that compassion with people who are grieving.
Day 4 Challenge
Send a real, physical card to someone who has lost a loved one this year.
But before commencing with this challenge, I want you to spend some time in prayer. I will guide you through this in the worksheet I provide for you below.
*Also, If you don’t know someone currently grieving a lost loved one, ask your pastor or church administrator to help you with this challenge. They will know a person who lost someone you can reach out to.
Please understand the massive significance of what you are doing by sending someone who is grieving a compassionate card. I know for some of you this may feel scary, but being the light means stepping out with God, not stepping out alone. Whether the person acknowledges your card or not, God knows what you have done and we are responding to Him.
Being the light is not about what we get out of it, but about being a wonderful obedient messenger of God’s in this world.
I have a worksheet to help you for this challenge. I truly hope you do this Day 4 challenge and do it immediately because your actions in Christ could change someone’s day, even their life!
And all God’s people said AMEN!
Additional Notes
***In the worksheet, I ask you to pick a Bible verse. Below are some great ones, and you can find more on my post 35 Bible Verses For Grief
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more.
Revelation 21:5 He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.
Psalm 147:3 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 34:18 “God is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Luke 6:21b “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”