Good Grief
This is often a slang phrase when something comes as a surprise, an irritation or frustration. “Good Grief Charlie Brown” because a household phrase thanks to Charles Shultz and his cartoon, Peanuts. I’ve used the slang before, but the phrase came to mind this morning in light of the struggle that the Lord has with His people. Check this out…
8 ‘“But I will spare some, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the lands and nations. 9 Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me – how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices. 10 And they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them. (Ezekiel 6:8-10 NIV)
I can hear the pain in the Lord’s voice as He announces this judgment on His people. He loves them, but they have grieved Him deeply with their choices. I know that kids grieve their parents with their behavior and spouses grieve their spouse sometimes too.
Grieving is a process. It is a stress filled process. I’m reminded of the Kübler-Ross model or five stages of grief. The model was first introduced by Swiss Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book, On Death and Dying, and was inspired by her work with terminally ill patients. The five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
I’ve learned over the years that the process of grief has no shortcuts or “work arounds” – you have to go through grief. It can be excruciatingly painful work, but necessary to put certain painful experiences in proper perspective. The Lord’s grief was painful regarding my sin. My grief is painful when I have to deal with my loss and deep struggle. I remember going the through the grief process during the death of my marriage many years ago. I also remember the stages of grief when my kid was battling cancer – I grieved deeply. Grief is actually good even though it’s not a fun process. It can be a cleansing process and a perspective changing process.
The Lord has been my “Grief Counselor” on many occasions. Sometimes I’ve needed “God with skin on” – a person to walk with me through my grief. I’m so thankful for His hand through the toughest of painful experiences.
Pressing On!
Dwayne