Devo for 9/1/2024 service- Message by Pastor Clint Sprague and Pastor Jamey Santo

As the sermon series “The Way that Leads to Life” continued this past weekend, the main verse was Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn,  for they will be comforted”

Pastor Jamey allowed us into his family’s world, sharing the story of the tragic loss of his oldest son.  He outlined a biblical path to walk through mourning and shared his story for us to learn from.  If we humble ourselves, we can all gain knowledge, courage, and wisdom from his testimony.

I am sure we have all had losses in our lives, and we found ourselves mourning. The struggle with loss is real, and there is no easy way to get around the pain and hurt that creeps in.  But there is a way to heal and enjoy freedom from the bondage of pain and hurt.  In these times, we have to put our faith and hope in Jesus and run to him.  In the Amplified Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:16 says,

“Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day.” 

We cannot get discouraged and give up on God in those trying times! We need to embrace being renewed by God!

One point in the message is something that I believe many men struggle with in times of loss or mourning. It is the tendency to go into isolation.  We have been taught by society and our own egos that we men have to be tough, don’t let them see us cry, etc.  This attitude can lead us to isolate ourselves from those around us. We may bury our pain (grief, mourning, wounds) and try to ignore it.  We end up isolating ourselves from our friends and family, but we also end up isolating ourselves from the one who can truly heal us: Jesus!  The truth is, in tough times, we need to spend time with Jesus AND with brothers in Christ.  

We have to run to Father in our tough times and bask in the joy of being in His presence.  We also need those men in our lives that we can trust and know they have our back.  Doing so will allow us to stay focused on the eternal as we allow the healing hand of God to strengthen us as we walk through the valleys and reconcile the pain and hurt.  

So how are you doing in this?  Are you in mourning now?  Have you “buried” something rather than taking it to the Lord?  I encourage you to ask God these questions and let Him lead you through healing.  And seek out your brothers and let them stand in the gap in prayer for you!

Don’t forget to invite God into your day!

2 Corinthians 4:18

Colossians 3:2

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4