God Feels your Grief

Who should expect comfort from God? Can we expect God's comfort only when we grieve over sin? When your beloved pet dies, do you think God is not interested in your grief? Jesus just loves you.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted! Matthew 5:4

Who can expect comfort from God?

According to some commentaries, this only applies to people who grieve over their sins and want to do repent, or to Christians who grieve in a close relationship with Jesus because of sins in the world.

It is undoubtedly true that God forgives and comforts us when we hate our sins and want to repent.

It is also true that Jesus weeps over the sins in the world. When we weep in close communion with him, we experience the consolation of his tender love.

But should we only expect God's consolation when we mourn over sin?

When your child or sister dies, are you happy? No. You are devastated. It has nothing to do with sin, but God is love. He loves you deeply and He wants to comfort you.

When your beloved dog dies, do you think your grief is not important to God?

I appreciate good Bible commentaries. I have been an avid student of the Bible for years.

But beware of pious teaching that focuses on sin from a narrow religious point of view.

This religious mindset too often leads to a critical attitude towards neighbours and colleagues.

With a narrow focus on virtue and sin, you can become unwittingly judgmental, like the Pharisees in the Bible.

This way of thinking also often leads to loveless religiosity in congregations and painful guilt complexes in Christians who are afraid of offending God.

Meanwhile, a crowd of thousands had gathered so that they were treading on each other's feet. Then he began, saying first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Lk 12:1

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147,3

Whatever your reason for suffering, Jesus wants to comfort you. If you choose to believe in His love and trust Him, you will experience His comforting love.

Am I saying that your sin is not an issue for Jesus?

God forbid! Jesus died to take the punishment for our sin. Jesus feels your pain; He loves you unconditionally just as you are, but He not only wants to forgive your sins completely, He wants to set you free from them.

He wants to help you live a whole new life and enjoy His loving friendship.