1. Hooked on a Feeling GRIEF 2 Kings 18: 19-33

3. A. Categories of Grief Genesis 6: 5-6—God grieved over man Genesis 6: 5-6—God grieved over man 1 Peter 1:6—Grief comes from different kinds of trials 1 Peter 1:6—Grief comes from different kinds of trials 1 Tim. 6: 9-10—Grief can come from sinful choices 1 Tim. 6: 9-10—Grief can come from sinful choices Ephesians 4:30—our sin can grieve the heart of God Ephesians 4:30—our sin can grieve the heart of God

4. A. Categories of Grief Death Death Divorce Divorce Retirement Retirement Moving Moving Rejection Rejection Shattered Dream Shattered Dream Job Loss Job Loss Children rebel Children rebel Loss of body part Loss of body part Loss of Hair Loss of Hair Loss of Property Loss of Property Child going off to school/married Child going off to school/married

5. B. Aspects of Grief The role of TEARS The role of TEARS –Tears are almost always part of the normal grief process –John 11:35 –In our culture, tears are frowned upon, especially when it comes to males –Some have never learned to cry

6. B. Aspects of Grief The role of TEARS The role of TEARS –We should not try to suppress our bury our emotions –“Tears are the vehicle that God has equipped us with to express the deepest feelings words cannot express.” (H. Norm Wright) –“When words are most empty, tears are most apt.” (Max Lucado)

7. B. Aspects of Grief 1.Purposes of Grief –We should see grief as a gift from God. It is painful, but it is necessary as move forward in a fallen world –God is gracious to give us the ability to grieve

8. B. Aspects of Grief 1.Purposes of Grief –It is a gift to express our feelings about what or who we have lost. We release our pain. –It is a gift by which we can clarify what is truly important in life. We are forced to examine life. –It is a gift by which we can advance into the future with a deeper walk with God.

9. B. Aspects of Grief 2.Path of Grief –Elisabeth Kubler-Ross –On Death and Dying –“Five stages of grief”

10. Five Stages Denial—This can’t be happening to me Denial—This can’t be happening to me Anger—Why is this happening? Anger—Why is this happening? Bargaining—Make this not happen and I will… Bargaining—Make this not happen and I will…

11. Five Stages Depression— “I’m too sad to do anything.” Depression— “I’m too sad to do anything.” Acceptance— “I’m at peace with what has happened or is going to happen” Acceptance— “I’m at peace with what has happened or is going to happen” These stages were given to represent the feelings of people who were facing death. These stages were given to represent the feelings of people who were facing death.

12. Five Stages Many today apply them to other losses Many today apply them to other losses The problem is that people have taken these and done with them what she never intended and used them in ways she never meant The problem is that people have taken these and done with them what she never intended and used them in ways she never meant

13. Kubler-Ross “They were never meant to help tuck messy emotions into neat packages. They are responses to loss that many people have, but there is not a typical response to loss, as there is no typical loss. Our grieving is as individual as our lives.”

14. Two Points to Remember We experience many emotions in varying degree and varying order, and that is normal. We experience many emotions in varying degree and varying order, and that is normal. There is no timetable of grief. Some take longer than others to work through issues. The only concern should be if we fall into prolonged depression or spiritual lethargy. There is no timetable of grief. Some take longer than others to work through issues. The only concern should be if we fall into prolonged depression or spiritual lethargy.

15. C. Advancing through Grief Grief is not something to overcome Grief is not something to overcome Grief is a gift to help us to advance to the next stage of life Grief is a gift to help us to advance to the next stage of life We must open the package of provisions and put what is in it to work for us. We must open the package of provisions and put what is in it to work for us.

16. C. Advancing through Grief 1.Embrace and Acknowledge the Loss –Don’t get caught in denial –Eventually we must come to say this has happened and it hurts. Life is not going to be the same, but I still have life before me where I am needed

17. C. Advancing through Grief 1.Expect and Acknowledge Loss –Expect emotions –Express grief—talk to empathetic people, journal –Don’t be alone

18. C. Advancing through Grief 1.Embrace and Acknowledge the Loss –Keep talking to God and worshipping –Wait upon the Lord –Hope for the Broken Hearted

19. C. Advancing through Grief 2.Embrace your Theology –Our emotions must always submit to the mind and will –The mind must be tuned to Scripture and the will must submit and obey Scripture. The emotions will catch up in time.

20. C. Advancing through Grief 2.Embrace your Theology –“Correct theology also helps us accept what happens in life.” (Wright) –Death of a believer (1 Thess. 4: 13-18) –Death of an unbeliever (Rev. 21:4) –Losses—2 Cor. 1: 3-4; Rom. 8:28

21. C. Advancing through Grief 3.Look for God’s New Doors and Arrangements –Move forward in relationships and involvements –TRUST HIM