God of all comfort

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4

     During a family reunion, an inquisitive child asked me about my parents. I told her my father is still alive, but my mother had died and is in heaven with Jesus. Her young childlike curiosity was satisfied with my answer and she ran off to play.

     While she is at play, I find myself reflecting on grief and today's beatitude taught by Jesus. Whatever country we live in, grief remains our common denominator as human beings. Life brings us many kinds of crushing sadness. Around the globe, we grieve the death of loved ones, the loss of innocence, jobs, love, security, material wealth and health. God is eager to comfort us in all those situations.

     Zimbabwe is a nation in grief. The grim reaper, Death, has already taken far too many Zimbabwean lives. I know many of you are emotionally numb and physically exhausted, surrounded by so much sorrow. You might be wondering if God has abandoned your beloved country. It is normal to question God in the face of such overwhelming, heart-rending sorrows. Surrounded by so much death and dying, attending funerals might be emotionally overwhelming. In an effort to protect yourself from feeling too deeply, you may be self-isolating from others. But in the midst of your national and personal sorrow, you need God's comfort that so often comes through other people.

     Whatever breaks your heart, let Jesus be your grief counselor. He is well acquainted with all kinds of sorrows, eager to bring God's comfort with a personal blessing. As Christians, we have a hope that reaches beyond the grave. Therefore, death has no victory over us. Comfort one another with these words.

     Prayer: O God, when we are wounded by life's sorrows, comfort us. When we are bereft, console us. Be our wonderful grief counselor, and overflow our hearts with your peace. Break down all barriers preventing Zimbabweans from receiving urgently needed food and medicines, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Sandy Bochonok
http://soulfoodministry.org
July 3, 2002
Permission is given to freely distribute and share this reflection with the people of Zimbabwe.