Today we will conclude our series on mourning, but first there are a couple more things for us to see.

In Job chapter 3 we see the extent of Job's pain. He is in a full state of mourning. In verse 26 Job says, "I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." The next few chapters we see an ongoing conversation with his friends. We will not go into all of the details, but in Job 16:2-5 Job tells them, "I have heard many things like these; you are miserable comforters, all of you! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief." After Job had listened to his friends going on and on, discouraging instead of encouraging, he finally speaks up. In his response we see how he exalts God continually, even amid the deep pain he was experiencing.

After so much suffering, Job 38:1 says, "Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm." This verse was an important reminder for me in my time of sadness. In the darkest valley, God is there. Even when we can't bring ourselves to pray, God is there. In the midst of the storm, He speaks love and mercy to us.

Another scripture that God reminded me of was the key verse for today. Mary and Martha send word to Jesus that his friend Lazarus is sick, but he intentionally waits two days before going to him. Jesus knows that Lazarus will die and that he will raise him from the dead, and he also knows that God will be glorified through all of it. When he arrives and sees Mary and Martha weeping along with others, he was deeply moved and troubled. Then something interesting happened. He allowed himself time to weep! Again, Jesus knew that he would be raising Lazarus from the dead, but he felt the pain and allowed himself to mourn with those who were mourning. Jesus loved Lazarus and he gave himself freedom to mourn.

Friends, Jesus feels when we are hurting, and I am sure he weeps with us as well because he loves us. In a time when I needed to hear that it was okay to cry and be angry at the situation I was experiencing, God showed up in a meaningful way to assure me that it was okay and that He wouldn't love me less for allowing myself the time to mourn. I experienced God in a whole new way during that time. There were days where I could feel him holding me and whispering words of hope in my ear. Did I lose faith through this? Not at all. On the contrary, my faith grew stronger and I was able to understand that God would use my experience to glorify himself as well. 

My prayer has changed over the past few months, and I encourage you to cling to these words just as I do: "Dear God, thank you for loving me and holding me even in the darkest storm. Allow me to give myself time and grace to feel what I need to feel in every season. I choose to believe that you will use the situation I am in to reach others for you. You are my strength and my hope. I cling to you and trust that you will carry me through. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen."

1.       John 11:33-35 (NIV).