1. Lesson 7: A Faith that overcomes grief and loneliness

2. Understanding Grief & Loneliness – What Is Grief? Deep mental anguish, as that arising from bereavement Sorrow, distress, sadness, mournfulness, gloom, heartache – Not All Grief Is Wrong Jesus manifested grief at loss of a loved one – John 11:32-35 Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem – Luke 19:41 Jesus’ disciples mourned & wept after His death –Mk. 16:10 Paul wrote of “a continual grief” in his heart – Rom. 9:1-2 Elders expressed grief at Paul’s departure – Acts 20:36-38 Paul sorrowed at the illness of Epaphroditus – Phil. 2:27-28

3. Understanding Grief & Loneliness – Loneliness Is Not Necessarily Wrong Solitude (which is by choice) is different than loneliness Loneliness is a feeling of dissatisfaction with the quality and/or quantity of one’s relationships with other people There is “social loneliness” – isolated from friends & family There is “emotional loneliness” – feel have no one to talk to – Grief & Loneliness Can Become a Problem When it makes one useless for any service When it begins to produce psychosomatic illness “Loneliness eats into the soul”

4. Understanding Grief & Loneliness – Common Reactions to Grief & Loneliness Active solitude – becoming engrossed in some activity that we enjoy and which enriches our lives (positive reaction) Social action – taking deliberate action that breaks the isolation and involves us with others (positive reaction) Distraction – doing something to take our minds off our sense of grief & loneliness (more neutral reaction) Sad passivity – continuing to feel badly and doing nothing to positively impact the problem (negative reaction that can lead to a downward spiral)

5. A Faith That Overcomes Grief & Loneliness – Remember: Jesus suffered both grief and loneliness! Grief: Luke 19:41; 22:44; John 11:32-35 Loneliness: Matt. 26:40, 43, 45; 27:46 As such, He is better suited to aid us now (Heb. 2:17-18) – Remember: The Lord is with you! When one walks with God, never truly alone (John 16:32) Joshua had a close friend in God (Deut. 31:6-8; Josh. 1:1-9) Assured of His abiding presence (John 14:21, 23; 2 John 9) He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6) He is with us always (Matt. 28:20)

6. A Faith That Overcomes Grief & Loneliness – Remember: The Lords gives you a family! The church is the family of God (1 Tim. 3:15; 5:1-2) We have 100-fold brothers, sisters, mothers (Mk. 10:29-20) “God sets the solitary in families” (Psa. 68:6) In this family, we are to bear one another’s grief – By weeping with those who weep (Rom. 12:15) – By sharing in each other’s sufferings (1 Cor. 12:25-26) – By comforting one another with the comfort we each receive from God (2 Cor. 1:3-5) Many bear their grief alone b/c they don’t have this family

7. A Faith That Overcomes Grief & Loneliness – We can have a faith that overcomes grief & loneliness by: Truly believing the Lord wants the best for us (Jn. 14:1-3) Taking comfort in the promises of God (1 Thess. 4:13-18) Praying…& praying some more (Lk 18:1; Mt 6:5-6; Ph. 4:6-7) Remembering Jesus intercedes as our High Priest (Heb 7:25) Serving others (Matt. 20:25-28) Consorting with true friends in the church who will strengthen your hand in God (1 Sam. 23:16) Staying busy in the Master’s work (Ph. 2:12-13; 1 Cor. 15:58) Studying the Bible…specifically – Finding “YOUR Psalm”