Joy Come in the Mourning by Bob Kraning

Notes taken from Bob Kranings sermon on 4/2/06

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Mathew 5:4

There are three perspectives on this passage:

1) Mourning for a world of sin without Christ
2) Mourning over our own sin
3) Mourning over great losses in our life

All our heartbreak and hurt…if only it was as simple as a 2nd grader’s. But life is much more difficult. The Bible does not explain suffering. But it does try and teach us how to handle suffering and to trust our God in the midst of it.

Mourning…when we suffer a great loss. How do I receive comfort in the midst of suffering?

1) Realize that God is with me even in the midst.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

God is totally aware of your pain. God cares that you are suffering and in pain. God is able to see you through.

So how much time does it take until it gets better? More for some…less for others.

After Job had lost everything he said, “He keeps close watch on all of my paths.” Job 33:11b

“I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears, behold, I will heal you.” 2King 20:5b

“God is our refuge and strength and an ever-present help in times of trouble.” - Psalm 46:1

“Cast your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7

God provides the grace to help you in your time of need. Awareness and assistance…God will walk with you through the difficult times. Are you growing in your pain? Or have you gotten stuck in your pain?”

“All sunshine makes for a desert.” Bears no fruit if there is only sunshine. Fruit bearing requires a little rain.

Quote: I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser, For all she had to say. I walked a mile with Sorrow And ne'er a word said she; But, oh, the things I learned from her When Sorrow walked with me! - Robert Browning Hamilton

The kindness of friends and comfort and compassion of our God can see us through.”
2) Release the hurt. Stop focusing on what was lost…and instead focus on what is left.

“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it?I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:19

You have a couple of options. A) Repress your past, hurt, pain and loss. Pretend like it doesn’t exist. Become like the walking wounded. 2) Release it. Rethink it…second guess yourself again and again.

But the difference between mourning and moaning. Moaning…a pity party. Not getting over feeling sorry for yourself.

In his book. Lee: The Last Years, Charles Bracelen Flood reports that after the Civil War, Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. There she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Federal artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the North or at least sympathizing with her loss. After a brief silence, Lee said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it." It is better to forgive the injustices of the past than to allow them to remain, let bitterness take root and poison the rest of our life.

3) Resent. Option three…you can continue to resent people, things and even God. Push away the one …the only one who can comfort us in our sorrow.

4) Release it…let God comfort and control.

14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. – Psalm 10:14

Don’t push through the time of mourning. Let God help and take you through the mourning.

4) Rely on God’s resources. (Look up the message translation.)

“You never know Jesus is all you need, until he’s all you have.” Mother Theresa

The world has many escapes…drinking, drugs, money and sex among many other things..

God rescues us through the mourning:

a) God’s Word…look up verses about comfort, healing and help. God tells us that his word can make a difference in our lives. Let God help you to let things go, in his timing.

b) God’s people is another resource. People who will pray for you. Those in whom you can fully disclose in confidence.

“God comforts us in our hurt and our pain and our loss so that we may comfort others in their pain, with the same comfort with which we were comforted.” 2 Corinthians 1:4

God brings people in your path who has suffered similarly. When we have seen and know God’s understanding…we too will be able to know and understand another’s pain. Some are able to care because they’ve been there.

c) God’s Spirit –

The spirit of God is there to minister to us in our pain. How do we handle our pain? Run and try to fix ourselves or to call out to the God of heaven to minister to ourselves and others.

We sorrow and mourn, but not as those who have no hope. God tells us, “I’m aware, I care and I will be with you and I will help you in and through your pain.”

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10b