Ep. 320 - How to Grieve Well

Tim Challies joins Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar to discuss his book, written in the aftermath of the tragic loss of his son. Despite the loss, Tim and his family continue to bow before God, trusting in His sovereignty knowing that God has given, and God has taken away. When Tim heard of his son's passing, he recognized the temptation from Satan to sin, and he prayed to endure the sorrow without sinning. Ray shares how he dealt with grief after losing his parents, shutting the door on sorrow and continuing with life—illustrating that there are different ways to grieve. Tim emphasizes that while grieving is important, we also must remember God’s sovereignty and carry on.

Tim's perspective on grief highlights the beauty that can come from sorrow when we view it through God's lens. Grief, while painful, has a redemptive purpose. It helps us grow, and it motivates us to serve God. Oscar shares that grieving well is about recognizing that this world is not how it should be, but God has a purpose in our grief, which ultimately points to eternity. Grief should drive us to evangelism and a deeper reliance on Christ. As we stand firm in our faith, we glorify God even through trials, as seen in the life of Job. The key is finding meaning in suffering and remembering that God’s story never ends in ashes.

Supporting others in grief can be difficult, especially when people grieve differently. We need to be present with those who grieve, meeting their practical needs and offering comfort through Scripture. Tim shares that a couple who had previously lost a child supported his family during their grief, demonstrating how our own suffering equips us to comfort others. This is why it’s important to surround ourselves with a community that runs to the Lord. Christians are called to weep with those who weep. Tim also speaks to the vulnerability of sharing his grief publicly. He wanted to  capture the rawness of grief in real-time. He emphasizes that God uses our weakness for His glory.

Tim reflects on the difficulty of sharing grief, especially when feeling like a burden to others. Yet, he recognizes that the loss of his son was a community one. The church grieved with his family, which was a source of comfort. Tim also acknowledges that even when we can’t see God’s goodness in our suffering, we will one day understand clearly. The group encourages believers to remember God's mercy, even in the darkest moments. God's grace can help us navigate sorrow. By casting your cares on Him, Christians can find comfort in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

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Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
Ray Comfort
Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
Mark Spence
Oscar Navarro