The Most Difficult Step of the “Grieving Process” (2/8/09)

NOTE: The following message and the related Scriptures below, can be utilized along with: A Suggested Format for Home Worship

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters….” [Isaiah 55:1-2]

Shakespeare stated: “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” How true. There is no doubt whatsoever, that all people who live upon this earth; have lived, and will live, upon this earth, fit this Shakespearean description. [Romans 3:23 ; 5:12]

All people by nature are sinners. [Psalm 51:5 ; Romans 5:12] And without exception, all people err by wrongdoing. These “Transgressions” are against God and one’s fellow mankind; and they are either sins of commission and / or sins of omission. A thief sins, sins of commission; while, a person who allows a thief to steal, by turning a blind eye, sins the sin of omission.

There is the one exception, to those who have sinned, and that is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was born into our world and was sinless. [Hebrews 7:26 ; 1 Peter 2:22] His primary purpose in coming into our world was to be born, live a perfect life; suffer; be sacrificed for our sin; and rise from the dead, in order to defeat sin and death and pave the way for Divine forgiveness before a holy and just God, who must mete out divine justice and eternal punishment on account of human sin. [Matthew 25:31-46]

Christ came as the perfect, sinless “Lamb of God,” [John 1:29] to be slaughtered for our benefit – that those who believe and put their trust in Him, and His sacrifice for them, might be saved from the wrath of God and afforded life eternal, rather than death eternal. [John 3:14-21 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ; John 3:36]

The tragedy that has taken place in our town of Bay City continues to have many reeling with anger and rage:

When a tragedy of this magnitude takes place -- there is immediate shock. All types of questions and voiced reactions arise. “How can this be? Why did this happen? This need not have happened. I hope those responsible are called to account.” One web comment expressed an angry and vengeful desire that those who were responsible are forced to share the same fate and demise as did the 93 year old WWII Vet. [“Autopsy: Bay City man froze inside his home”]

Most people can identify with the sad and pitiful end of one of our senior citizen residents. And, to be sure, it was pathetic. Some people who responded in nation wide online news report comment, made reference to their older family members, and how they could not imagine having them share the same fate of an old man who obviously did not realize that his electricity and furnace had shut off and that hypothermia was taking its toll upon his frail and aged body.

Common grief symptoms have been the experience of many who have heard or read about Marvin’s death:

I simplify and condense the “Grieving Process” into 4 words: (1) Shock (2) Anger (3) Denial (4) Acceptance. As one who attempts to help those who experience this common human grieving experience, I have learned not only from personal grieving experiences, but by practical experience and academic learning, that there are no tidy shortcuts to the grieving process. There are no time limitations. Everyone is different in his grieving experience. And, for those aging and disabled, these people may go for many years experiencing the various phases of shock; anger; denial and finally some semblance of acceptance.

The “Acceptance” part of the grieving experience is the most difficult:

It is very easy to be shocked. It is even easier to become angered. And, it is a natural human reaction to be in denial. That denial, often expressed, is: “Why me? This shouldn’t happen to me! It only happens to the other person!”

Several Sunday’s ago I posted an online “Words in Season” message that hammered home the message of “Forgiveness.” That message contained a short chapter of a book that dealt with, loving one’s enemy. This true story is a prime example of what Shakespeare meant, when he said: “……..to forgive, divine.”

The present necessity of forgiveness and its priceless implication (1/11/09)

It is my prayer that those in this town and those who have grieved in some way over Mr. Schur’s death, that we all could remind ourselves of the priceless need to reach that “acceptance stage.” And, an integral part of acceptance is the forgiveness aspect.

Those who read that topical "Words in Season" message several weeks ago – please read it again. And those not having done so, and are reading this – please read, ponder and reference the following Scriptures. Remember, Acceptance by way of forgiveness is for your personal ongoing benefit. It is, by far the best way to successfully grieve. Amen.

Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"

This Sunday’s Message, Related Scriptures:

Old Testament:

Psalm 51:1-17 -- Our sinfulness [deserving of divine punishment] before a holy and just God and His ready and available forgiveness – Note: Verse, 7

Psalm 130:1-5 -- There is forgiveness with Creator God

New Testament:

Matthew 18:21-35 -- Peter's question about forgiveness & Christ’s Parable of the “Unmerciful Servant” and His teaching of the utter necessity of forgiveness. Note Verses, 34-35

Luke 11:1-13 -- Christ teaches His disciples the “Lord’s Prayer.” Particularly note, Verse, 11:4a

Matthew 6:1-15 -- Christ’s teaching on the humble giving of charity; prayer and also the teaching of forgiveness. Note: Verses, 14-15
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Note for further reference and understanding:

PART 1: – The Christian Faith – What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?” (10/12/08)
PART 2: The Christian Faith -- How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place (10/19/08)
PART 3: The Christian Faith -- What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “saved” [is a Christian believer]? (10/26/08)
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Complete list: Links to all the "Words in Season" topical messages
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Please note: http://christianhomeworship.blogspot.com/ is not intended to discourage Christian worship at another place and / or, particular [formal] denominational churches of worship. As its author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find it, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
Rev. Nathan Bickel