Welcome to our bi-weekly blog carnival. The carnival alternates between being hosted here and over at BridgetChumbley.com
This week’s carnival is on the theme of Grief. We’d love for you to join in with us. All you need to do is write a blog post on the theme of grief and then come here and add a link to it using the cool little SimplyLinked widget below.
During the day, more and more people will add their links to the list so check back regularly to see what’s new. I hope you enjoy them all. Scroll down to read my entry.
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Grief
Wikipedia defines grief as:
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which we have formed a bond. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions. Common to human experience is the death of a loved one, whether it be a friend, family, or other companion. While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement often refers to the state of loss, and grief to the reaction to loss.
It’s interesting to me that grief is not just an emotion but has physical and other dimensions also.
I am blessed to have never experienced the grief that comes from a loved one dying as no-one that close to me has died yet. However, the fact that this means I have never experienced true grief in any way is bad. Very bad. You see, I should have experienced grief for something completely different.
God Grieves
The bible says that God was grieved by mankind multiple times (how many times it uses that word depends on your translation). For instance, in Genesis 6:6:
The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
Man’s sin was so great that it grieved God and filled his heart with pain.
Again and again, God was grieved by the sin of those he created and loved.
As I see that and recognize that it hurts God’s heart when we sin and I see that this whole earth is steeped in sin from the highest officials to the lowest paupers I have to wonder how much heart-wrenching pain God feels every day over the state of humanity – and why I don’t feel the same pain.
I Don’t Grieve
As I’ve thought about this topic of grief, it has really hit home to me that I just don’t view sin the same way God does – and that needs to change.
I need to start viewing sin for what it is, even the smallest ‘little white lie’ or moment of gossiping grieves the very heart of our Father God. Sin that I barely acknowledge or think about cuts him to the very heart.
This is the God who sent his son to die in my place that so that I could be saved from the punishment for my sin. This is the same God who destroyed all human life except for Noah and his family because the sin hurt him so much and yet here am I gladly accepting my salvation but ignoring the true depths and strength of the effect that my continued sin has on my savior.
A New Heart
My prayer is this: Lord, give me a heart that feels the grief that you feel over the sins of the world. Open up the eyes of my heart to see the blackness of that sin against the purity of your righteous holiness. Let me grieve so that I may see how lost those around me are that I might have a renewed passion to see them washed clean by the blood of the lamb of God. I am ashamed that I do not already grieve for the multitude of sins committed even here in my town every day. Help me to see and feel Lord. Help me to see and feel.
Do you grieve as God does over your sin and the sins of the world?
This is beautiful, Peter.
Thank you for hosting. I can't wait to read the posts as they start showing up! Mine is going up at 12:01.
Thank you Bridget.
I'm so glad that we work together on this. Thank you so much for fining SimplyLinked for us!
Good question. The answer is, sometimes. Other times, I make excuses. Thank you for pointing out that Sin causes God to grieve. I don't want to make God cry. Seriously.
Me neither, but I rarely think of it that way… unless I'm telling my kids not to sin!
What a convicting post to read. When I think of grieving, I instantly look "inward" and reflect on how I have grieved over losses in my life….but never really thought about the Ultimate grief you speak of when speaking of God and how I (we) have filled *His* heart with grief every time I sin/fall/stumble (which is often)
This struck my heart as well……"I have to wonder how much heart-wrenching pain God feels every day over the state of humanity – and why I don’t feel the same pain"
WOW, I think this is my favorite post by you, Peter so far! Awesome!
Thank you for the compliment, Michelle.
I suppose, in a sense, this is what is meant by "Good grief," if it leads us to repentance and our Father's heart.
Interesting take on the phrase 'Good Grief' 🙂
I grieve daily over the sins of this world, including my own. I can't imagine the grief God must feel when He holds us daily in His arms of grace. The very least we can do is take it to Him in prayer. Loved this, Peter.
Thanks Candy.
I'm glad that you grieve daily over the sins of the world. I am trying to learn to do the same!
Amen! I just read how Jesus wept over Jerusalem's pending destruction, knowing they rejected him. At the same time, "when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Mt 9:56)
I grew up in an environment where guilt was the expected response to sin. I would beat myself up over sinning against God. But there's a difference between guilt and grief. We should grieve over our sin and that should lead us to Godly sorrow and repentance (1 Cor 7:10-11). Guilt only leads to self-loathing and misses God's grace.
There is a big difference between guilt and grief – and it's one that we would all do well to learn!
your thoughts brought a new light to my thinking today.
i can see why many of us feel sadness about what was lost, and have even more reason to look to Jesus and be truly thankful.
Thanks you, Nancy!
Great post, Peter.
I think sometimes I do view my sin as God does, but other times, I think I try to justify my action with excuses. I'm working on that.
I’m with Helen- I believe I’ve felt that grief before, but certainly not always. I need more of it in my life. Thanks Peter.
You're welcome!
Thank you, Jason
I added it for you!
We're all good at making excuses. We need to learn that nothing excuses our sin!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
I love my children and accept them for who they are and that never changes. I don't accept when they do things wrong and sin.
The sin grieves me but my feeling of love toward them doesn't change.
I believe it is the same with God. He loves us unconditionally but he grieves over our sin and exhorts and teaches us to sin no more.
Your post was not what I expected. I just now found time to read it. It is challenging – unlike you, I know a depth of grief, the incredible physical pain of a broken heart, the heat of helpless anger, the coldness that lives behind walls built to shut out even more pain. I also know the incredible longing to be where the other is, the sense of injustice that they have seen Him; why do I have to stay. I know the fear that comes with grief, the sick feeling that repudiates anything that comes against the reality of the truth I know.
I know what you pray for. I've lived it, felt His heart. I've run from it. There is no remedy for it but grace, for feeling what He feels blows our human hearts apart.
Thank you for hosting the carnival, and thank you for reading and commenting on my post this afternoon. I very much appreciate the opportunity for interaction.
Thanks for the awesome comment, Kelly and thank you for joining the carnival. Carnivals are always better with a big crowd around!
wow, I never thought of God GRIEVING, it is totally true, I agree we should do more personal grieving for our sins.
I totally agree, Bernadette. Thanks for commenting!
mine won't add on, so i will just put it here . http://justsaytheword.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/gr…
This is a hard one for me to grapple with — I have a hard time accepting that God grieves over how we sin. I see God as pure love. And pure love does not judge our sin. He accepts us exactly where we're at and holds us lovingly in His hands willing us to continually accept the truth of our Being, Children of God, the awesome expression of His divine creation.
Very cool. This is a great thing to be a part of. Thanks for putting it together.
up
I like this article and your post. Thanks Peter for starting this wonderful blog.