Waves of Grief

By: Heather Wolper (Guest Blogger)

I am in dark, choppy water and I can’t feel the bottom or see the shore. Waves come one after one with no relief. I gasp for air and cry out as exhaustion and despair threaten to pull me under their weight.

There is no quick fix for this pain and no reasoning away this fear. I can’t erase the heartache or fill the emptiness.

But he has called me out upon these waters and asked me to trust him.

“Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. When he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him,” Matthew 14:29-30

He has called me out upon these waters and promised that I am not alone.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3

When I am exhausted and afraid, he promises to hear my cries.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1

When desperate, helpless tears fall, he sees my pain.

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

When discouragement and fatigue threaten to pull me under, he promises to sustain my weary heart.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

In this deep ocean, I must cling to his promises…

He knit me together.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14

He loves me.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2

He has plans for my good.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

He is at work in me.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

He will not leave me or forsake me.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

He is sovereign over me.

“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:15-16

Are the waves of heartbreak crashing over you today? Are you feeling weary and forgotten, broken and overwhelmed? God is waiting to carry you through your deep waters. He will not leave you or forsake you. Reach out for him and he will pull you up.