Good Grief to Greater Glory

And I say, ‘It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.’ Psalm 77: 10 NRSV

Psalm 77 is a psalm for someone in grief and agony. All they can think about are their problems, their feelings about their troubles, and their body's reaction to all that has happened in their life.

I know that you have been there at sometime in your life. Think back to that time when all you could see was the awful tragedy of your personal situation. Maybe you had lost a loved one, been terminated from a job, been cheated on or given your all to someone who had thrown it back at you. All you could see at that moment was your own problem. You were drowning in your sorrows and anger. You held disbelief and heartbreak close to you. It was almost as if you enjoyed your paralyzing emotions. That would be what I would term wallowing in your grief. At that time, it actually feels good. There is something so self-absorbing and kind of self-righteous in enjoying your pity-party.

But there eventually comes a time when you would rather sleep at night. Self-pity becomes tiring. Troubles don't seem so righteous anymore. Grief is simply boring. The problems haven't gone away but your reaction changes.

That is when God will change your grief into glory.

When we make that transition from pity to praise, it is as though we have been freed.

No, our troubles are still there. But so is God. And so we realize God's majesty above all these trials we are living through.

Once we recognize God's sovereignty, we can move on and be again the people God calls us to be.

God, when we are experiencing grief and seem to be enjoying it at the same time, transform our grief into giving you the praise and the glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims