AN AUDIENCE WITH GOD

Talking is so important when we’re grieving. Someone has said, “The only way to survive a crisis…to work through a loss… is to be keenly aware of it. Talking helps us to work our way through pain.” 

Talking is an opportunity to get to the OUTside of us the feelings that, allowed to build INside us, can cause even more problems – physical, emotional, relational. Going over a loss again and again is therapeutic, not morbid. It’s how the griever learns to believe that his loss is real. Talking relieves the tension of the one thing that is constantly on the griever’s mind - which is the loss. Talking about our loss then clears the way to go on with other tasks. 

One of the greatest frustrations and disappointments grievers have is it that it’s often difficult to find someone who is willing to allow us to talk about our loss and our feelings. Few people realize the need of one with a broken heart to pour out memories and feelings. And few people are willing to set aside their own discomfort at listening to another talk about loss. And, if tears are part of the conversation – some listeners become even more uncomfortable! 

If you are grieving, it’s important for you to find someone who is willing to listen to you talk about the pain inside you. And, if you are that listener – be sure to do so, without judgment or without trying to insert “solutions!” 

What a blessing to know, especially in our grief, that God listens to everything we need to say. The God of Creation, the Sovereign One, the One Who loves you so much He gave His Son to die to take the punishment for your sins, says in 

I Kings 9:3 “I have heard your prayer and petition before me.” 

Charles Spurgeon, a prominent Baptist preacher in 19th century England, affectionately known as the “Prince of Preachers,” wrote, “What an honor it is to have an audience with God. The frail, feeble, undeserving creature is permitted to stand in the august presence of the God of the whole earth, and the Lord regards that poor creature as if there were nothing else for Him to observe, and bends His ear and His heart to listen to the creature’s cry.”  

He’s waiting to hear what you need to say!!!!!