Blessed Are Those Who Mourn: An Easter Reflection

We live in a world that tells us to move past pain quickly. Stay strong. Keep busy. Don't dwell on it. But what if there's something we're missing in our rush to get past grief?

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4 NIV

Consider this verse with me. Is there a blessing for those of us who choose to go through the process of mourning a loss? It's a strange concept in the world we live in today.

As a counsellor, I see many people overtaken by grief and loss, the pain is evident and very real. This leads me to question: where is the blessing in that?

The Ways We Protect Ourselves

Our human nature says I need to protect myself from painful moments. Some say if I hide or if I forget or ignore, I may find relief or comfort. Others say if I never forget, if I hold on to it, if I am always focused on it then I can protect myself from experiencing it again, that brings me comfort. We struggle to mourn, we struggle to ride the wave of grief, face it, make meaning and move on to growth, and to comfort.

Jesus Didn't Just Talk About It. He Lived It.

Jesus captures in a short sentence that which takes a lifetime to learn, and some of us sadly never get there. The beautiful thing is he knew that, so he didn't just talk about it. He lived it so we can have a model to follow.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:2b "For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." It seems he didn't focus on the loss, he ENDURED it. It seems the blessing needs to be our focus so we can choose to mourn and glean from this process to get to the blessing. It is bitter and sweet all mingled together.

A Courageous Choice in Gethsemane

We see this so wonderfully illustrated in Gethsemane where Jesus knows he will lose his life. The pain is described in his human tension and difficulty to go through it. "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42 NIV. Yet here we also see a courageous choice to endure it, trust and obey regardless of the heavy emotions associated. Jesus chose to experience the pain instead of running from it or holding on to it.

Where the Blessing Begins

What happens when he makes that choice? The Bible says, "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." Luke 22:43 NIV. The blessing isn't the removal of pain—it's the presence of God in it. Once the choice is made, we start to see the blessing. The cup is not removed, as we know—but he received comfort in the moment. He was no longer alone during his pain. Amazingly it doesn't end there, once the pain is over we are then able to see the joy that was set before him. A glorious resurrection and the fruit of reconciliation, seated at the right hand of God in the heavenlies.

Never Alone in the Pain

I don't want to even imagine what it would have been like if Jesus in that moment resisted the pain and chose to protect himself. I am so grateful that he chose to endure the cross, the pain, the grief, the loss for me. He is true to his word and lived a life that models and inspires me to live like him. That could be enough but he rewards me by blessing me with comfort through the pain, "...because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5.

There is comfort in knowing I am not facing pain on my own. Like research has proved, if you hold the hand of a loved one, you are able to endure much more pain than if you were without their touch.

The Blessings Keep Coming

The blessings do not stop there though, they keep coming. I am also given glorious access to the heavenlies as it says in Ephesians 2:6 "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus". Oh, how amazing is that?! All this for choosing to trust, obey, surrender and endure. The mission is difficult and painful, but the reward is mind blowing!

I know I can testify that I receive comfort and blessing as I choose to surrender to this unnatural and difficult process.

What about you? When grief comes—and it will—how will you choose to face it? Will you resist, or will you trust that even in mourning, you are not alone?