Because of Who You Are – John 11:35 – Coping with Loss

 

This is “Namma for Christ” with the two hundred seventy-sixth inspirational message dated Wednesday, September 11th, 2024.  The title of this message is, “Because of Who You Are – John 11:35 – Coping with Loss”.  The song provided below - “Because of Who You Are” (with lyrics) by “Vicky Yohe” is a song that I first heard in my church, as sung by our choir. The below scripture is what is found in the 35^thverse and the 11^th chapter of John:

 

John 11:35

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁵Jesus wept.
   

 The scripture text of “this” message was taken from the “same” scripture text that I read on (September 10, 2024) in my daily devotional book (the 73rd day's message) entitled: “The Word for You Today – 90 Days of Faith, Hope & Courage in Changing Times”.

 

The inspirational message I read on September 10^th, 2024, was titled – “COPING WITH LOSS”. I knew that it was a reminder that I wanted to share in my next message in my “Namma for Christ” blog. I hope you find (some of the excerpts) as inspirational as I did:

 

COPING WITH LOSS

³⁵ “Jesus wept.”

 

John 11:35

New International Version (NIV)

 

Emptiness, disbelief, fatigue, confusion, depression and anger are all part of the grieving process. C. M. Parkes says, “Grief is the price we pay for love.” The only people who escape grief are those who’ve never really loved. In John Chapter 11 when Jesus arrived on the scene, Lazarus was dead and Martha was upset because He didn’t come sooner. She wanted to know, “Why Lord?” It’s the question we all ask. And what was Jesus’ response?  The Bible says that sitting among the mourners, “Jesus wept”. And when He did, He made it okay for us to grieve too! How do we mourn? Author Melody Beattle says, “We do it awkwardly, imperfectly, with resistance, anger and attempts to negotiate. We flounder through kicking and screaming until we reach that peaceful state called acceptance.”

Tears don’t represent a lack of faith, they just mean we’re human. The One who gave you love, understands sorrow and loss – that’s why He gave you tears!

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25), so when He spoke that day Lazarus had to respond to the “Lord of…the dead and the living” (Romans 14:9 NIV). In fact, if Jesus hadn’t called Lazarus by name, it’s likely that every corpse in the cemetery would have arisen when He spoke! Grieving heart, there’s good news: “The Lord…will come down from heaven…[and] all the Christians [including your loved ones] who have died will rise” (1^st Thes. 4:16 NLT – see below verse)

 

1^st Thessalonians 4:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁶ For the Lord Himself  will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.

 

Until then, although we grieve, we’re not like “others who have no hope” (see verse 1^st Thes. 4:13 NKJV below). That’s because we know how the story ends!

1^st Thessalonians 4:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹³ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

 

Please enjoy the below song, “Because of Who You Are” (with lyrics) by “Vicky Yohe” performed with power and anointing.

 

(I do not own the rights to this song).

 

BE BLESSED!