Grief is a Liar

Grief is a Liar.

It will tell you that God is not good. It will tell you that God is unloving. It will tell you that He is a God of chaos. It will tell you that God is cruel and lacking compassion. It will tell you that God is careless and negligent. It will tell you that He is not faithful. Grief is a liar.

God is not a liar.

He never promised us a life free from loss and pain. In fact His word says the exact opposite. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2) I am writing this with great tenderness, understanding that sometimes when you are right in the middle of the dark dark valley of grief you need to be reminded of the simplest truths about who God is. Because we can so quickly forget. Rather, the enemy will use your grief and pain to whisper (or shout) lies about who God is. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” And I believe he prowls on the grieving. When you are at your most vulnerable and raw, ripped open, questioning everything, questioning God’s goodness. He pounces. And in flood the whispers and lies. 

But God does not leave us there exposed and defenseless. One of the ways the Lord equips us to fight those attacks is with the “sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.” In the times when the lies are taking over and nothing makes sense anymore, when your brain is in a literal fog and you can’t recall God’s goodness in your life, go to verses like these below. Some days you may not even believe what you are speaking or reading, but read it anyway. Let His words abide when you don’t have any of your own left. His Word is true.

God is not a liar.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1) He is good.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end.” (Lam 3:22) He is loving.

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” (1 Cor 14:33) He is not a God of chaos or disorder.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” (2 Cor 1:3) He is compassionate.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” (Jer 29:11) God is purposeful, not careless.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2 Thes 3:3) He is faithful.

God is not a liar.