The extremity of grief is an opportunity for the church to be the church, to do what the body of Christ does. The present ordeal is a learning moment for us all, an occasion for Christ-followers to grow in our understanding and practice of “one anothering.”
As co-members of the body of Christ:
- We share in the joys and the heartbreaks of life together.
- We hold our dear ones up through unceasing prayer for superhuman strength, mega-doses of grace, and Spirit-fueled endurance.
- We communicate our support through acts of love, providing for material needs.
- We express words of comfort while understanding when space and privacy are needed.
- We do not stay silent just because we don’t know what to say. “I know words aren’t sufficient, but I want you to know I love you and am praying for you” is always appropriate.
- We do not ask hurting people questions for which there are no answers.
- We do not offer well-meaning platitudes for which there is no basis in Scriptural truth.
- We are patient and understanding when grief debilitates for a season and when a tragedy leaves its mark for a lifetime.
- We speak truth from God’s Word into the lives of those who grieve, not with a preachy tone, but to give them solid footing during a tumultuous experience.
1 comment:
good useful and very practical thoughts and suggestions. The worst thing we can do is stand back and not even be a listener.
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