For Those Grieving This Easter - The Crosswalk Devotional - March 30

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For Those Grieving This Easter
By: Vivian Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” - John 16:22

Not everyone feels joy when Easter rolls around. Many of us experience immense grief, pain, and sorrow. Because of the annual tradition of leaving flowers on the graves of our loved ones on Good Friday, it can be difficult to return to a heart of celebration.

Every year since my mom passed away, my family and I have taken flowers to her grave. I cannot fully explain what this experience feels like, but over time, it can leave you feeling empty inside.

It doesn’t feel right knowing that your mother is buried beneath the ground. This is a pain I wish no one had to experience, yet most of us will face it at some point in our lives. My mom passed away when I was a teenager, but I believe the pain of losing a loved one is intense, no matter your age. Even if your parents pass away when you are much older, it is still painful to say goodbye.

This is because death is not natural.

It was never part of God’s original design for humanity to die. He created us to live forever. However, the fall of humankind changed everything (Genesis 3). Since that moment, we have had to live in a world marked by sin, pain, suffering, illness, and death.

While I know my mom is in Heaven with God, I still miss her deeply, and the pain can be overwhelming at times.

Just because we know our loved ones are in a better place does not mean our grief disappears. Here on earth, we still feel their absence. There will never be another Easter where my mom is physically with me. She didn’t see me graduate from college. She never saw me drive my first car, and she will not see the rest of my life unfold.

Perhaps you are experiencing your first Easter without someone you love, and grief feels especially heavy on your heart.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Jesus tells us, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).

Even though Easter can remind us of our pain, it also reminds us of the beautiful salvation we have through Jesus. Death entered the world, but Jesus has overcome it (1 Corinthians 15:55-58). Praise the Lord that we do not have to live without the hope of seeing our loved ones again. We will see them again, and no one will ever take away our joy.

As Jesus said, now may be our time of grief. In this present season, we must allow grief to exist within us. This is something I have had to learn. I no longer see grief as an enemy. Instead, it reminds me of how deeply I love my mom.

I will not see her again in this life, but I will see her again in Heaven. When we reflect on this truth, the weight of sorrow begins to lift because we have eternity to look forward to.

This Easter, remember Jesus’ amazing grace and how He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into His Kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14). On Easter, we can grieve, but we can also worship God.

Even through tears, we can worship our powerful and loving Savior. Jesus does not demand that we always appear happy or put together. Instead, He welcomes our honest hearts and invites us to bring our true feelings before Him.

The love of the Lord far surpasses any love we experience on this earth. That is why He gave His life for our sins. As we reflect on this truth, we can praise Him for what He has done.

God will restore all things in His perfect timing. On that day, no one will ever take away our joy.

Are you grieving this Easter? How might you bring those feelings honestly before the Lord? Grief can be a reflection of the love we have for those we’ve lost. Does thinking about grief this way change how you view it? Why or why not?

Further Reading:
Revelation 1:18
Romans 6:23
Psalm 56:8

Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Maria Korneeva


Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

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For Those Grieving This Easter - The Crosswalk Devotional - March 30

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

The Crosswalk Devotional updated banner logo

For Those Grieving This Easter
By: Vivian Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” - John 16:22

Not everyone feels joy when Easter rolls around. Many of us experience immense grief, pain, and sorrow. Because of the annual tradition of leaving flowers on the graves of our loved ones on Good Friday, it can be difficult to return to a heart of celebration.

Every year since my mom passed away, my family and I have taken flowers to her grave. I cannot fully explain what this experience feels like, but over time, it can leave you feeling empty inside.

It doesn’t feel right knowing that your mother is buried beneath the ground. This is a pain I wish no one had to experience, yet most of us will face it at some point in our lives. My mom passed away when I was a teenager, but I believe the pain of losing a loved one is intense, no matter your age. Even if your parents pass away when you are much older, it is still painful to say goodbye.

This is because death is not natural.

It was never part of God’s original design for humanity to die. He created us to live forever. However, the fall of humankind changed everything (Genesis 3). Since that moment, we have had to live in a world marked by sin, pain, suffering, illness, and death.

While I know my mom is in Heaven with God, I still miss her deeply, and the pain can be overwhelming at times.

Just because we know our loved ones are in a better place does not mean our grief disappears. Here on earth, we still feel their absence. There will never be another Easter where my mom is physically with me. She didn’t see me graduate from college. She never saw me drive my first car, and she will not see the rest of my life unfold.

Perhaps you are experiencing your first Easter without someone you love, and grief feels especially heavy on your heart.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Jesus tells us, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).

Even though Easter can remind us of our pain, it also reminds us of the beautiful salvation we have through Jesus. Death entered the world, but Jesus has overcome it (1 Corinthians 15:55-58). Praise the Lord that we do not have to live without the hope of seeing our loved ones again. We will see them again, and no one will ever take away our joy.

As Jesus said, now may be our time of grief. In this present season, we must allow grief to exist within us. This is something I have had to learn. I no longer see grief as an enemy. Instead, it reminds me of how deeply I love my mom.

I will not see her again in this life, but I will see her again in Heaven. When we reflect on this truth, the weight of sorrow begins to lift because we have eternity to look forward to.

This Easter, remember Jesus’ amazing grace and how He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into His Kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14). On Easter, we can grieve, but we can also worship God.

Even through tears, we can worship our powerful and loving Savior. Jesus does not demand that we always appear happy or put together. Instead, He welcomes our honest hearts and invites us to bring our true feelings before Him.

The love of the Lord far surpasses any love we experience on this earth. That is why He gave His life for our sins. As we reflect on this truth, we can praise Him for what He has done.

God will restore all things in His perfect timing. On that day, no one will ever take away our joy.

Are you grieving this Easter? How might you bring those feelings honestly before the Lord? Grief can be a reflection of the love we have for those we’ve lost. Does thinking about grief this way change how you view it? Why or why not?

Further Reading:
Revelation 1:18
Romans 6:23
Psalm 56:8

Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Maria Korneeva


Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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