Good Grief

By Sandy Schramm

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

— Psalms 30:5 NKJV

“Good grief”—an expression used by our parents in an era when more “colorful” language was unacceptable. The phrase became popularized by the Peanuts comic strip where Lucy’s “good grief” to Charlie Brown conveyed dismay and even condemnation. So what is good about grief?

I admit I was dismayed when I learned that grief was the theme of this year’s Lenten devotional. Grief has torn at our hearts in recent years with the loss of loved ones and our own life-threatening health issues. I did not want to revisit those dark places or rejoin my dismal companions of sorrow, loss, fear, helplessness, loneliness, fatigue. Yet, looking back, we saw that even in the darkest times, our God was holding our hands. Teaching us to trust Him. Growing our faith. And into our shadowy hours, He sent bright, joyful rays of sunshine: a cozy home, the exquisite beauty of His creation, a supportive family, kind friends, a praying church, His precious Word, amazing answers to prayer, and the Holy Spirit’s comforting presence. Our God has never deserted us nor stopped loving us.

So every day we grasp His hands in both need and praise, and open our hearts to joy, a joy made possible by the grief Jesus endured on the cross. There is no dismay or condemnation in that grief; Jesus bore it all. Good Grief became Good Friday and the darkness of death became the resurrection light of Easter morning. Yes, grief can be good! Brilliance of Your living Presence. Amen.

Dearest Lord, Thank You for holding our hands in the harsh darkness of grief as well as the bubbling light of joy. This day, and every day, open our hands and hearts to the Easter morning brilliance of Your living Presence. Amen.