Beatitudes - Part 2 - February 18, 2011
Played: 33 | Download | Duration: 00:02:09
Beatitudes - Part 2
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
Grief is the price we pay for love! To love deeply is to grieve our losses deeply. Henri Nouwen writes: "We wonder when grief hits hard, 'why did this happen?'. To remind us of the brevity and fragility of life. To deepen the faith of those who carry on." It is hard to answer "Yes," when everything seems dark. The important thing to us at that moment is to be relieved of the pain. But when we move through adversity rather than avoid it, we greet it differently. We become willing to let it teach us. Like Joseph, we see how God can use it for some larger end. Ultimately, mourning means facing what wounds us, in the presence of the only One who can heal us! The Psalmist writes: "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Morning always comes! Your grief will ease with time. Your willingness to embrace the pain rather than escape it, guarantees that. It is not that you will forget, it is that you will remember it differently; with more gratitude and less grief. Your tomorrows are not in the hands of your employer, your banker, your stock broker, or even your family. No, they are in God’s hands, and He will be there for you when every other support has gone. Has He not always protected, provided for, and comforted you? Times and seasons change, but not "the God of all comfort." He has promised never to leave you. So be encouraged, today He will be with you wherever you go!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the times of life when we experience grief, help us learn through it and be stronger. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
In Jesus name, Amen
To Tim Hetzner,
I want to thank you for your daily devotions that I receive each day. I love opening up my email, just know that God speaks to me through these devotions. I want you to know how much they are appreciated!! May God richly bless you and the ministry that you do to share the Gospel message and to bring Him greater Glory.
Blessings,
Carol
Reply to this
Katherine wrote:
To: Tim Hetzner
Once again Tim, your daily devotion touched my heart and God's word helps me deal with daily struggles. God Bless you.
Blessings
Katherine and K9 Pilot
Reply to this
Hello Mr. Hetzner,
It is so nice to hear you speak on this subject this morning. I am taking a class called Psychology of Happiness. It says that happiness is a process and in order to truly be happy we must have a collective balance of positive elements. Spirituality being one of them. After responding to several of my colleagues on this subject, we also talked about how there are times when we have challenges and that we should not avoid the pain of them but that we should embrace them and learn from them. When I read the devotion for today, I was able to see the connection. Your message was a reinforcement of the positive thoughts I am trying to keep and how I can connect them to other projects that are going on in my life. Thank you for the work that you are doing for us. May the LORD always keep you. Have a blessed day Mr. Hetzner
--
Blessings,
Darlene
Reply to this
Thank you, Tim.
Henry Nouwen is one of my favorite spiritual authors! Our pastor recommended him several years ago and quotes him in his homilies fairly often. Thanks for the nudge back in his direction pre Lent. This gives me plenty of time to find some worthwhile Lenten reading.
Blessings,
Kathy
Reply to this