VRP | Grief

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Are You Struggling with Grief?Here’s How to Receive Encouragement and Break Free from Grief” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left|color:%2328377b” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579975726219{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

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Breaking Free from Grief | What is Grief and How Does the Enemy Use it Against You?

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1582211181841{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Grief is defined as a feeling of deep sorrow from significant loss. There are many things a person can grieve—a loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of job, or a child who has gone wayward.Grief is a cleansing process that takes place in the soul. What does that mean? The weeping, crying, mourning, and missing is a natural response to death and loss. This response lets out the pain and allows us to connect to God in our time of loss.When we grieve, we are allowing our souls to feel the injustice that death and loss have on humanity. The loss we experience is a reflection of how God’s heart responds to death and suffering. For example, when Lazarus died, John 11:35 tells us Jesus wept.Jesus’ grief was a response to how Satan wreaks havoc on our world, and how loss and death impact those who mourn. When we grieve, our spirit is responding just as Jesus’ did. It is spiritually and physically healthy to mourn. We must also be aware that God doesn’t want us to stay there… but the enemy does.At some point, all of us will experience loss, and each of us will go through the grief process at different rates. But God tells us He is there through it all…“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”—2 Corinthians 1:3-4The enemy uses grief to steal our worth. In the book of Job, we see Satan tempting Job to walk out of alignment with the Lord, symbolized by the painful boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 2:7). In the next verse, we read that Job resorted to self-harm—symbolizing feelings of worthlessness—as he sat in the ashes of his life.Ultimately, Satan’s goal is to use grief to throw you off course and create a sense of worthlessness. He wants to keep you there. Because he knows when you move forward, your story will comfort others who are troubled. He knows that when you break free from grief, God will use it for His Kingdom. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579975864536{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]“’And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:4[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_separator][vc_custom_heading text=”How to Break Free from Grief” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%2328377b” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1582211435155{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Step 1: Pray. Start by agreeing with God that this season of grief will end and that you will move forward in the healing process. The Lord wants to heal your broken heart, are you ready to give Him the pieces?“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18Pray in the Spirit. Allow the Spirit to guide your prayers when the feelings of grief begin to set in. Praying in the Spirit confesses your inability to form words in a time of need. The Bible says it may be a prayer of “groans.”“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”—Romans 8:26Step 2: Click on the resources below. We’ve provided a list of resources for you to use that will begin unlocking the doors that keep you in the difficult stages of grief. The Lord wants you to grieve the loss and then move on in time. This movement is not so that you will forget, but rather to help others and rely on His strength more.“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”—2 Corinthians 12:9Step 3: Write down insights from the resources. As you go through the various resources, write down what God is revealing to you. Journal Bible verses that remind you of His comforting love. Meditate on His power to heal your brokenness.When we write down and declare God’s promises, words of restoration begin to take root in our hearts, healing them one word at a time.

  • Commit to…
    • Repenting of false beliefs. As previously mentioned, Satan uses grief to create a sense of worthlessness with a goal that we stay there. When we stay there, he knows we won’t believe God’s promises of hope and a future. When feelings of worthlessness and despair begin to invade your thoughts, renounce them. Repent, asking the Lord to forgive any lies you believed that He wouldn’t heal your broken heart.
    • Forgiving others and yourself. One of the stages of grief is blame. You may blame others, yourself, or God, but blame gets you nowhere fast. It deceives you into thinking you are moving, but really, you’re just moving in a circle. Ask the Lord who it is you need to forgive. Forgiveness is a choice and the key to freedom (Galatians 5:1).
    • Declaring God’s covenant promises. God is a God of restoration. When you are committed to declaring His Word regularly, it brings restoration to your soul and healing to your heart. Remember, in the consistency lies the victory! The process of healing from grief is not easy, but with Christ, all things are possible. Continue to press into the Spirit of God, moment by moment, and call on His name for the restoration of your soul.

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Resources to Help You Break Free from Grief

  1. Kingdom Finance Series | The Story of Job… Trials and Tests Will Come— What is our response to tests and trials? During Job’s first test, he lost all of his possessions. While he was grief-stricken, what did he do? He praised the Lord. Read the Full Article Here…
  1. Why Some Prayers Go Unanswered— Have you ever wondered why prayers go unanswered? A frequent response is, “God sometimes answers with, ‘No’ or ‘Wait.’” While yes, this is true, there could be other reasons for the seemingly silent response. As you cry out to God and recall the hope you have in your Savior, you can’t help but wonder when God’s deliverance will come. Read the Full Article Here…
  1. What to Do When You’ve Lost Hope— Hope is an essential ingredient to possessing joy, peace, and faith. Every Believer needs to fully understand what biblical hope is and how to protect it. Before we begin to look at what hope is, how to renew it, and how to keep it, let’s look at what it isn’t. Read the Full Article Here…

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    • “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:4
    • “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”—Psalm 147:3
    • “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.”—Psalm 51:17
    • “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”—Psalm 73:26
    • “Unless Your law had been by delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.”—Psalm 119:92

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The Takeaway

From the verses above, you can see how important it is to stay focused on the Lord during your affliction. When you take your eyes off of Him, you begin to sink.Grief can be like a great storm around us. And we can be like Peter, focusing on Jesus and then taking our eyes off the Lord when we see the water rising around us. The cycle of healing can seem to go back and forth. Yet, just as Peter called out to the Lord, “Save me!” during the storm, you can too.Decide today to trade your sorrow and grief for the restoration and joy of your inheritance!“Instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.”—Isaiah 61:7

  • Don’t forget to check out the resources above. Our mission is to help you grow stronger in the Lord by claiming the inheritance you have as a spiritual descendant of Abraham through Jesus Christ.
  • God has given you an abundant life. Isn’t it time you reclaim it? Don’t go through another day trapped in grief. Stay focused on the promises of God.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”I have more questions. Where do I go?” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%2328377b” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1582211637751{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-style: double !important;}”]Transform Your Weaknesses— Uncover biblical truth that will empower you to overcome your weaknesses and glorify God.One New Man Guide— Understand the message of the One New Man (Ephesians 2:14-16). It takes you deep into the Hebraic roots of your faith, revealing the inheritance you have in Christ.Live Stream— Receive the encouragement you need every week through our Live Stream. The messages will give you direction and provide prophetic insights in the ways you should go (Psalm 32:8-10).[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”1-on-1 Prayer with Our Prayer Team” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%2328377b” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579545734786{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-style: double !important;}”]If you would like prayer, please schedule a 1-on-1 personal prayer appointment with our prayer team and be encouraged as you receive direction and revelation.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”I want to know more about:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%2328377b” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579631836123{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;border-bottom-color: #444444 !important;border-bottom-style: double !important;}”]

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