Living with Grief
There are two verses in Proverbs 14 that are very insightful. They dig deep inside and help us understand that as individual people, trying to live in a collective world, no one is able to fully know and understand you but you. Not your best friend, not a spouse, parent, or child can fully know you. Consider these two verses:
“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.” — (Proverbs 14:10)
And
“Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.” — (Proverbs 14:13)
We are people of emotions and there are times when we can enjoy life and share laughter and mirth with others, and yet at the same time, we can have a deep hurt that will never go away. Both are true and the one does not rob the other of its genuineness, but both are tempered by one another. I spoke at a graveside service of a friend yesterday and there were times of laughing and times of crying. Both were genuine.
On top of this, no one can ever know exactly how I am feeling. In that truth, we are solitary beings. We can relate to others and think we know, but we really don’t. The good news is that our Savior sees it, knows it intimately, and wants to help us through it. He comforts us so that we can help comfort others. Consider this final verse:
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” — (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)
When you are hurting, run to the only One Who can truly understand you and give you the help you need. Don’t neglect family and friends, and look for ways to be a comfort to others, but your greatest help can only come from the One Who created you. His arms are open!
