Hello friends! We are going to be talking about bereaved. Now this is a very relatable topic for most of us, even though we don’t really want to experience it. There’s good news for us as children of God though. The bible reminds us in Psalm147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. How reassuring! In such moments, we can find solace in the comforting presence of God, He understands our pain.
What does it mean to be bereaved?
To be bereaved means to lose someone to death. In 1Thessalonians 4:13-17, we see that those who have died in Christ are actually asleep and would rise again just like Jesus Christ did, after all, Jesus has conquered death on our behalf.
What to do when bereaved.
Express your feelings and grief; both to God and to friends and family. Just like Jesus did when Lazarus died. It says in the bible that “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” God understands everything, so tell it to Him and this inevitable condition would not seem so bad.
Have faith in God. God has made it possible for you to be happy when bereaved. The Holy Spirit brings peace unto those who are bereaved. He is called the Comforter. Remember also that Jesus has conquered the grave for all of us. God promises joy as well in Revelations 21:4.
What to do for a bereaved friend.
At times you may struggle with what to say or do for a bereaved friend. It may even feel awkward when talking to a bereaved fellow. However, the Bible reminds us to carry one another’s burdens and to be there for each other. As believers, it is very important to speak with love, humility and of course, care to a bereaved person.
Pray for them, offer to help in any way you can, stay around them. Allow them to express their feelings. Listen to them and don’t tell them you know how they feel. Instead acknowledge their pain by saying that you can only imagine what they must be going through. Understand that grief is not linear and it differs, individuals may move through it differently. Try to engage in physical activities like exercise to contribute to overall well being. Take into consideration the fact that the mental state of a bereaved fellow is very fragile and might get quite unstable with any mistakes. This is why we need to depend solely on God and remind them of the scriptures.
We need to understand as believers that we have hope even after death; death is not the end for us. The bible makes it very clear. There’s comfort in the Holy Spirit. How great is that!
