I find it inspirational when people are able to temporarily put aside grief or anguish in order to do something else they need to do first.Jonathan Thurston, the football player found out a day or two ago that his uncle had been bashed to death, but he held himself together in order to play for Australia last night, and ended up being named man of the match.
Now, I'm not saying sport is particularly important, but I just admire the effort and strength of character that would be needed to do something like this. Sadly, I fear I would be much more inclined to be rendered instantly helpless and hopeless in the face of tragedy, unable to get out of bed, let alone go out and do anything of worth.
You hear about people losing a loved one, and suddenly flinging themselves into the work or whatever, as a means of getting through. I just can't see myself doing that. I'm meaning to be morbid and dwell on dark things unnecessarily, but at the same time I think it's worthwhile to imagine what you would do, and to evaluate whether that is a suitable response, and in some way to prepare for the possibility of tragedy. Is this crazy?
I have been thinking about it, and trying to get into the mode of really grasping that God is all I need. Not just as a cliche throw away phrase, but as a reality. If I am stripped of everything as Job was, will I be able to stay trusting in God, and be content in the fact that in Him alone are all my needs met?
6 comments:
Ben, I really think you should read How Long Oh Lord...it's all about those very questions you ask!!
Will it make me depressed?
I mean especially if I do it for Book group.. bit worried after C and P about doing anything too down..
no. If anything, it does the opposite.
I think its difficult to know how you will respond to tragedy/grief until you're there.
I remember watching my mother as she encouraged and listened to people during my brothers funeral (he was 21, I was 19). I know she was incredibly grieved, beyond words, over my brother's death but I think ministering to his friends was what she needed to do at that time and maybe even gave her as much as it gave them.
And then I think all of our family did at some point in the weeks after my brother's death, throw ourselves into work/activity. Probably so as not to dwell on our grief so much that it consumed us.
I think all we can do to prepare for tragedy is be rooted and established in God's love through His Word. And even then we will still probably struggle through the grief at times.
Yeah I think you're right Lu, that is really the only preparation. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm so sorry that you lost your brother so young. You must miss him so much. That is pretty awesome the way your mum dealt with it, being there for everybody else.
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