JESUS my Lord and Savior
© All Rights Reserved-Anastasia Diamond
FROM GRIEF to GLORY…Into HIS Light
FROM GRIEF to GLORY
Followed by:
GOD’S WORDS to a GRIEVING HEART’
© All Rights Reserved -Anastasia Diamond
Grief is an Unavoidable Result of Living and Loving
The rocky path from the desperation of our grief to finding joy and glory in Him is challenging – and a sweet blessing. For it is in the darkest moments of our soul that we have the greatest opportunities to discover the full extent of God’s eternal and unconditional love for us.
We are Often in the Presence of the Walking Wounded
We all get the blues now and then – to be experienced and forgotten in a day or two. However, we are also given opportunities to experience a deeper, more profound sadness called grief. It is that intense suffering caused by loss through tragedy, natural circumstances, disaster, misfortune, or poor choices…and it is all around us.We are often in the presence of the walking wounded who are carrying a heavy burden of grief and sorrow. They may be freshly wounded, or battle weary and still grieving after everyone else has gone on with their lives. They may feel such an overwhelming sadness penetrating every fiber of their being that they think they just cannot go on another step.
Grief is a Normal Part of Life…No One is Exempt
If you haven’t experienced it yet, hold on…you will. This is not being negative – just honest. Each of us will be touched by grief through a variety of circumstances; the loss of love, hope, relationships, home, finances, ambition, friendships, family, freedom, possessions, or social position. Others may face the loss of self-image, job security, loss of health or mental capabilities, loss through divorce, death…or something else. Whatever the loss, there will always be a measure of grief; be it expressed or suppressed.
Society Tells the Grief-stricken to Bury Their Feelings Along With the Loss
Replace the loss as quickly as possible, and everything will be back to normal in record time. However, in truth, grief expresses itself in a variety of healthy and some not so healthy ways. Grief interrupts life’s routines…and has its own timetable, which is usually longer than others expect. In addition, the normal they will go back to is a new normal; their life forever changed by the circumstances of the loss. Not to suggest that life after loss is horrible, or less than it was before. Rather, a new normal signifies changes in new ways of thinking, living, believing, and doing. Though it presents a series of hurdles, it can, and often does, open the door for new and wonderful paths that never would have been entered…had it not been for the loss and the grieving process.
Interestingly, it is often in the well of our deepest grief that we have the opportunity to learn and accept that we are not in control
Indeed, it is precisely when we are at our most vulnerable that we are presented with an opportunity to change our perspective, and strengthen our faith in God. For, it is when we are weak that He is strong in us. Our Heavenly Father is not a distant and aloof God. His Word tells us that He grieves for us, responds to our grief, and saves our tears in a bottle! In our humanness, it is hard to understand just how He does that. However, through faith, we need to believe that He does.
The path from the source of our grief to finding joy and glory in Him can be challenging, but rewarding
For, in the darkest moments of our soul, we have great opportunities to discover the full extent of God’s unconditional love for us, and that He truly never leaves us alone or forsaken. His comfort, love, and joy are ready and available, if we but ask. We can choose to rest in His grace and trust more in His perfect plan for our lives. For God’s perfect plan is not diverted, and does not stop or cease to exist when we feel we are drowning in grief.
Our Heavenly Father’s perfect plan and purpose continues through and beyond all of the sad, bad, unbelievable, miserable, traumatic and hurtful things that have happened – or will ever happen in our life
Indeed, if we walk in faith, we learn to truly accept and believe that He can work all things for our good – even our grief. May we all seek opportunities to pray with and for the broken hearted, that the one true God of hope will fill them to overflowing with His abundant blessings of joy.
Only God can truly take them…and us, from sadness and grief, to joy and His glory. All other paths to full grief restoration and joy are incomplete
Though they may provide a piece of the answer, they will not provide the true and everlasting peace of the answer. For some it may be difficult to believe that it is possible to have a saddened heart re-filled with joy. It is not only possible – but it is promised.
Stand Firm on HIS Promises of Joy
God promises renewal and joyful restoration – no matter what the cause of the hurt or sorrow, or how long we have carried it. He promises JOY! Let us pray with the broken hearted, that they will submit their sorrow to Him; asking Him to reveal Himself to them. Pray that they will seek His divine love, comfort, and joy in the midst of their heartache. Let us truly come alongside the grieving; shoulder-to-shoulder; praying with them, and for them, that God will heal their broken heartedness…and turn their grief to glory…in and through Him.
All Rights Reserved ©2009-2010…”JESUS my Lord and Savior-ANASTASIA DIAMOND’S Prayerful Reflections…and Photographs on a Spiritual Journey from Darkness into HIS Light” Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Anastasia Diamond is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided full and clear credit is given author/photographer and with appropriate and specific direction to the original content at:
http://jesusmylordandsavior.wordpress.com/from-grief-to-glory/
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GOD’S WORDS TO A GRIEVING HEART
JESUS my Lord and Savior
©All Rights Reserved -Anastasia Diamond
From Darkness…into HIS Light
God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is filled with wisdom and encouragement for we who grieve. That is all of us. For, everyone will share in the bitter taste of losing a loved one or coping with a tragic loss…yesterday, today, or tomorrow.
Many will drink from this cup of broken-heartedness time and time again. However, and thankfully, His Word is true and never changing. These divinely inspired scriptures will lift you from the depths of your sorrow and heartache when you drink from their sweetness; allowing their precious healing balm to restore you.
I pray in the name of Jesus for those who are steeped in grief…that the following scriptures will give you divine counsel and assist your heart in moving from grief in your loss to glory in Him. May you be blessed and restored by the reading of His Word.
For I will turn their mourning into joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13
Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. John 16:20
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
…Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them; let those who love Your name be joyful in You. For You O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor. You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
Restore me to the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 51:12
You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. Psalm 4:7
So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. John 16:22
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid; nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
…for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble. Psalm 20:1
…You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you. Isaiah 30:19
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you don’t know. Jeremiah 33:3
You will make your prayer unto Him, He will hear you… Job 22:27
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ Isaiah 58:9
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity. Jeremiah 29:11-14
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:17-18
It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24
If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us — Eternal life. 1John 2:24-25
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. And that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40
“Whoever drinks of this water will never thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:20-21
Most assuredly, I say to you, he that believes in Me has everlasting life. John 6:47
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10:27-28
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the LORD Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1Thessalonians 4:16-18
“Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” For we know that if our earthly house, this tent is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1
So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24
“Death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18
When you will lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. Psalm 3:5
For we walk by faith, not by sight… 2 Corinthians 5:7
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who live according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30
When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me — until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Psalm 73:17
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
How precious is Your loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36:7
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4
Posted in Anastasia Diamond, Bible, Christian, Christian Life Coaching, Christian Twitter,Christian Writing, Christianity, Church, Come Alongside The Grieving, Death, Eternity,Faith, Fellowship Twitter, God, God’s Words to a Grieving Heart, Grief, Grief Counseling,Grieving, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspirational, Inspirational Writing, Into HIS Light, Jesus, Jesus my Lord and Savior, Life, Living, Ministers, Ministry, Pray, Prayer, Prayer Twitter,Prayerful Reflections, Religion, Religious Twitter, Scripture, Spiritual Health, Stress,Suicide, Thougts, Twitter, Worship, Writing, tagged Jesus, Prayer, God, Christian, Faith,Bible, Pray, Healing, Peace, Anastasia Diamond, Jesus my Lord and Savior, Sorrow,Scripture, Holy Bible, His Word, God’s Words to a Grieving Heart on May 17, 2009 | Edit |2 Comments »
I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
Greeeeeeeeat Blog! Love the Infomation you have provided me.
I’ve bookmarked your blog simply because I actually like it.
GOD BLESS YOU SIS.
Thank you…I receive that! Many continuing blessing on you… -Anastasia
Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to trail you if that would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look into new updates.
Yes… I am @AnastasiaHis on Twitter. Thank you!
big like! – thanks .
I just want to mention I am just very new to blogs and really enjoyed your web site. More than likely I’m want to bookmark your website . You amazingly have superb posts. Appreciate it for sharing with us your webpage.
Hi Leroy,
Thank you for your very kind comments. Please do come back again and let me know if there is anything specific you would like me to post. -Anastasia
I love the way your tags show up on the Search Blog for Post by Tag. It’s like a random words praise to God! I’m glad I found you…an oasis from the the endless chatter online.
Hi Donna,
I agree! I have thought the same thing too. I am glad you interpreted it that way also. Thank you for your kind words. Please come back again…and feel free to suggest other topics you might like me to write about. May God add a blessing to all you do in His name. -Anastasia
Anastasia,
This is a beautiful website, not only are you a wonderful writer, but I know that you Love our Savior with all your Heart and Soul. I can also tell that you have been through the fire, and the floods. We can never lead anyone farther than we have lead our self.
Again, I just wanted to encourage you and tell you what a wonderful writer you are! It is hard for me to get my thoughts on a piece of paper, even though I have been journaling for over 20 years. I have gone through many Battles, but God has been Faithful with His Love and Mercy.
Thank you for letting me share, this morning. I am in my PJ’s with a cup of coffee wondering what to do with my Day! I will start with praise! Lord, for Your Mercies are new every morning.
Lord Bless you,
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for your wisdom…and your encouragement. HE has blessed you with such deep compassion and grace. -Anastasia
Tasia…what a wonderful avenue for your wisdom and encouragement. I get the mug you made for George down about once a month just to remember all my good friends at SARS!
We shared so many things, times and situations over the years…seems like a lifetime ago! God bless you Anastasia and the work that you do…you are an excellent writer! It is so nice to ‘know’ about your latest work and help!!! Take care and may God continue to bless you and your work. God is an awesome God…for sure!
Love and prayers,
Donetta
Oh…Hi Donetta,
Yes..we have wonderful memories and have shared so much…the best of all will always be…being sisters in Christ.
Thank you sweet woman, I appreciate and receive your encouragement. May HE continue to be the lamp unto your feet, and the light unto your path. Love and prayers back to you always, -Anastasia