Grief

There is no right or wrong way to handle grief, but there are times when we (or others) question whether or not our feelings are appropriate. Nathan the prophet told King David that his young son would die. David pleaded with the Lord, fasted and lay on the ground for seven days. As soon as David learned of the child’s death, he got up, washed, put on clean clothes and ate a meal. The servants questioned David’s behavior and he responded, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again?...” (2 Sam 12:22-23 NIV) I appreciate David’s example. In a sense it gives us permission to wash our face, put on clean clothes…and go on living.