Processing Grief with Hope: Is Hope Even Possible?

Have you been trying to process grief without the hope of Jesus? If you’re trying to deal with grief in your strength you will fail. This being said, if you want to know how to process grief in a healthy way, then trust in the hope that only Jesus can offer to you.

How do I know hope for grief can ONLY be found in Jesus?

My family has endured much grief and loss since August 2021. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re barely hanging on to hope by a thread. Losing five close family members in a matter of six months can stretch your faith to its limits, right?

So, for this week’s post in the continuing Hope for Grief: A Grief and Loss Collaboration Series I’m extremely honored that Heather Chapman over at Lessons from Home has given her perspective on grief and the meaning of hope.

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Processing Grief with Hope: The Hope of Jesus

If you’ve recently lost someone or even if it isn’t recent and you are still struggling to find a new normal, I’d like to talk to you about hope. 

Maybe hope feels like a foreign word to you, but I promise that processing grief with hope will carry you along the rough road of healing with less loneliness than you might otherwise experience.

I well remember the overwhelming feelings of pain and hopelessness when I buried my beautiful eight-year-old daughter that warm August day four years ago. I was certain I had died as well.

Nothing felt the same without her bright smile, bobbing blonde hair (because she was in a constant state of motion), and endless chatter. My happy world had suddenly become ugly, cruel, and fearful. 

If you need help with explaining grief and loss to your child here are 13 books about grief that you may find helpful.

While this post is about hope and finding joy again, I first want to talk about the awful words associated with grief because this is what you’ve experienced, this is your reality. 

I have just mentioned ugly, cruelness, and fear.  How about pain, trauma, anxiety, loneliness, emptiness, hopelessness…

All of these words point to one thing. A fallen world. The pain and suffering that entered the world when Adam and Eve sinned are seen in their greatest magnitude when we see death. 

After all, that was the punishment for sin, wasn’t it? Death?

What is The Meaning of Hope?

Merriam Webster Hope Definition states:

•  to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true
• Trust
• to expect with confidence

I also want to go into the way hope is viewed in scripture. When studying Old Testament Hebrew we discover that qawa, qwh, and tiqwa all denote hope in the sense of trust.

We know that we can put our hope in God, He is our safe place, and our trust rests securely in Him. When the world is changing and we are thrown into uncertainty, we are not disappointed in God’s love and strength.

O the Hope of Israel, his Savior in time of trouble, Why should You be like a stranger in the land, And like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? Jeremiah 14:8

A Plea for Deliverance and Forgiveness

A Psalm of David

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Psalm 25:1-2

The New Testament uses the verb elpizo and the noun elpis, again the emphasis is on trust. Our hope is in Christ.

To this end, we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.1 Timothy 4:10

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11

That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:12

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13

Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:14

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope. 1 Timothy 1:1

To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.1 Timothy 1:1

Processing Grief with Hope

We can conclude then, that true hope comes from trusting in God.  Right?  This means our healing is directly related to our trust in God.

How do we process grief with hope?  Why do we trust HIm?

• God is our refuge and safety from all of the fear and pain  (Psalm 46:1)
• He walks through the grief with us  (Isaiah 43:1-2)
• He has promised never to leave us (Hebrews 13:5)
• We can do all things through Christ who gives us his strength (Philippians 4:13)
• He gives us his peace (John 16:33)
• He has conquered death (2 Timothy 1:10)
• He carries our grief and sorrow (Isaiah 53:4)

Quote Grief

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

The Redeemer Of Israel Is The Hope Of Jesus

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. Isaiah 43:1

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He, Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Surely He has borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4

Not Being Ashamed of the Gospel

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:8

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began? 2 Timothy 1:9

But has now been revealed by the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:10

We are not left hopeless in our grief. Instead, we have a God who is so connected with us that He has provided us peace and hope in His relationship with us. 

We can trust Him to carry us through. We can trust that we will live again and find joy again beyond the hurt we are currently experiencing.

Your Hope is in Eternity

The most beautiful message in the Bible is that although man sinned and cursed himself to a life of pain and suffering, God has made a way out. 

Praise be to Him that He sent His son Jesus to overcome death and bring reconciliation. Death is not the end. We now have hope for a life of eternity with God after we leave this world.

God has provided amazing encouragement in His word about life after death and the promise of a glorious life we will have with Him. 

The Way, the Truth, and the Life is found in jesus

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:3

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. Revelation 21:6

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:7)

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7

which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:8

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Hope for Grief: How to Make Sense of Loss and Grief

Your Turn

Is Processing Grief with Hope Possible? Absolutely! So, my friends, if you are seeking healing and God’s peace, you are not alone. Do you see how processing grief with hope is not only possible but it is necessary? May hope carry you on this journey.

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