Serving our Father God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Holy Spirit filled ministry since 1997!
Serving our Father God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Holy Spirit filled ministry since 1997!
On life’s journey, we experience both joy and sorrow, love and loss. When we face the loss of a loved one, whether sudden or expected, our hearts break. In moments of grief, God calls us to lean on Him.
God designed the family as a place of belonging that reflects His love for us. Psalm 68:6 says, “God sets the lonely in families.” In our families, we experience companionship, encouragement, and growth. We also have conflicts because families are made up of imperfect people. Words can wound, mistakes can cause division, and old hurts can linger. In faith-filled families, grief can magnify past wounds. The loss of a loved one may bring regret for words unsaid or wounds unhealed. God’s design for family is one of love, unity, and grace.
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful gifts for achieving God’s design. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” After losing a loved one, we may struggle with forgiving past hurts or forgiving ourselves. The enemy uses grief to burden us with guilt, but God calls us to release those burdens. True healing begins when we surrender our pain to Christ, trusting that His mercy covers all.
Forgiveness is not about erasing the past but allowing God’s love to heal our hearts. When we forgive, we choose faith over bitterness, grace over resentment, and peace over regret. Grief is a heavy burden, but we do not carry it alone. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
In times of grief, we may question God’s plan, but He assures us that death is not the end. In John 11:25, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” The hope of eternity gives us strength to endure with confidence that our loved ones in Christ are safe in His presence.
God’s love is the anchor that sustains us through life’s storms. Cling to His promises, and let His love guide us toward healing and renewal.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of family, the power of forgiveness, and the hope we have in You. In our grief, draw us close to You. Heal our hearts, mend our relationships, and help us to extend the same grace that You have given us to others. Fill us with peace, knowing that You are with us always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
MaryAnn Bernardo is one of the original members of the Daughters of Zion Women’s Ministries. She is married, a current member of Holy Family Catholic Church in American Canyon, and a former choir member at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Vallejo. She is also a past volunteer at the Emmaus Community in Sonoma County, helping at retreats and with outreach for youth and adults.