Navigating Loss
I’ve been thinking a lot about loss lately. I can’t put my finger on why that is. It may be the funeral I preached earlier this week, or maybe it was the loss of a precious long-time member of our church family. Nonetheless, the subject of loss has been heavy on my heart as of late. It has had me thinking about my journey with the loss of my father and grandmother.
The fact is that we all face loss. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, the loss of financial stability, the loss of a close friend, or something altogether different, at some point or another we all experience the impact of loss in our lives. This impact can range from fear about the future to the anxiety of being all alone even to crippling depression.
So, how do we navigate loss? How do we deal with the feelings that come in unpredictable waves? How do navigate the fear, anxiety, and even depression that can come with loss? Most importantly, how do we do so in a way that deepens our relationship with God and sets an example of what Christ can do in someone’s life.
As we consider those important questions, I want to draw our attention to John 11. In this pivotal chapter of John’s gospel, Jesus is nearing the end of his earthly ministry. He receives the word from his good friends Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) that their brother, Lazarus, is dying. However, for some reason unknown to them, Jesus doesn’t come to heal their brother. Jesus doesn’t show up until four days after his death.
However, when Jesus showed up, His engagement with Mary and Martha was not what they expected. Jesus walked into the midst of their sorrow without any fanfare or casserole dishes. He could have offered some profound advice or brought a gift. Instead, he just offered himself. This encounter reveals two important truths for Christians to consider when navigating loss.
- Jesus will never leave you.
As Jesus entered the scene, Martha approached him and said that had He been there the outcome would have been different. He told her in John 11:23 that Lazarus will “rise again.” However, because she was looking for a different outcome, she immediately stated how she was aware of the coming resurrection and day of the LORD. Martha’s hope was in a particular outcome. This is why Jesus responded in John 11:25-26 with the following, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”
Many of us place our trust in a particular outcome. We want God to save our loved ones, our job, or our finances. There is nothing wrong with wanting those things. However, we need to be reminded that Jesus’ primary goal is not the salvation of our situation but the salvation of our souls. So, as you navigate loss, I would encourage you to place your trust in Jesus himself and not a particular outcome that you want. Outcomes, jobs, and people will come and go. Once you surrender your life to Him, Jesus will not.
- Jesus will always love you.
As Jesus approached Mary, he found her surrounded by friends giving her consolation. Upon hearing that Jesus is there, she jumped up and fell at his feet. She said the same thing in John 11:32 that her sister had just said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Even though she had received the consolation of friends, she was still stricken with grief. Jesus responds to this grief with compassion and sorrow. He was so moved that those consoling Mary commented on how He must have loved Lazarus.
The fact is that when loss comes knocking, there is very little that can be said to remove or even mitigate our grief. Words often have little impact on our grief. However, there is something about an act of love, like a casserole or a hug, that seems to ease the pain. Here Jesus revealed His care and love for this family. It made all the difference for them. The same is true for all of us as we navigate loss. The abiding love of Jesus comforts like no other.
As you find yourself navigating seasons of loss, lean into God’s Word and your relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no comfort or love greater than what He offers. Also, if you find yourself navigating grief alone, reach out to someone. You don’t have to walk this road alone. That is why God designed the church.