Stupid Statements I have Heard at FuneralsDon’t feel so bad it could be worseThey are in a better place/ They are better offI know how you feel my cat just diedIt is important that you don’t question God during this timeGod is still in control of everythingWhat is Grief?Grief is a deep sorrow, typically caused by someone’s death, a deep distress caused by bereavement or a cause of suffering.A Psalm of ExtremityI cry tears to you oh LordTears because I cannot speakWords are lost among my fears, pain, sorrows, losses, hurtsBut tears you understandmy wordless prayer you hearLord wipe away my tears, all tearsNot in some distant day but now, hereby Joseph BaylyHow Does Grief Haunt Us?Grief is extremely personalGrief is exhaustingly debilitatingGrief is excessively long lastingGrief is exceptionally depressingGrief is extensively focused lossGrief is exceedingly painfulOn his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” – John What does Jesus do for those who grieve?Jesus offers us connectionWe gain connection through the fullness of His presenceWe gain connection through the compassion of His friendshipWe gain connection through the finding of His loveJesus offers confidenceConfidence moves through His identity – I amConfidence moves through His involvement – resurrectionJesus is involved in the promise of resurrectionJesus is involved in the purpose of resurrectionJesus is involved in the plan of resurrectionJesus is involved in the preparation of resurrectionJesus is involved in the progress of resurrectionConfidence moves through His investment – lifeJesus is the starting place of lifeJesus is the supply of lifeJesus is the shepherd of lifeJesus is the significance of lifeConfidence moves through His invitation – Do you believe this?Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.– 2 Corinthians Jesus offers us compassionCompassion is the act of loveCompassion is an act of leadingCompassion is an act of liberatingCompassion is an act of lighteningJesus offers us comfortJesus comforts us through sustainingJesus comforts us through supplyingJesus comforts us through stabilizingHow do we handle grief?Never forget that you have shelter around youNever forget that you have support underneath youNever forget that you have strength behind you