What Do You Need When You Are Grieving?

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“One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” Psalm 91:1-2

Three Names of God are listed in these two verses. Inherent in these Names are very helpful resources when loss and grief enter our lives.

  • El Elyon (Most High) - There is no other God like our Most High God. He is the One and only true God. He is superior in every way. He is sovereign over all things. His strength is unmatched. HE, and He alone can give meaning to your loss. He alone can provide whatever you need in your heartache – even those things you aren’t even aware that you need!

  • El Shaddai (Almighty) - God is the One who holds all power in His hand. That means all power - even over the loss that has come into your life. But, He is also the One who is going to walk with you, strengthen you, help you, and uphold you as you grieve this loss. Meditate on the One Who is with you in your heartache. 

  • Yaweh (LORD) - The LORD never had a beginning and never has an end. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever. When you are grieving, life can feel like sinking sand. What a blessing the stable One, the constant One, the unchanging One, the independent One can be as you navigate loss and grief.

These verses from Psalm 91 add that the Most High, the Almighty, the LORD provides even more that our hurting hearts need: A Shelter - a home/a sanctuary; a Shadow - a hiding place; a Refuge - a place to get strong; a Fortress – safety from the battle that rages for our soul. All are so needed in troubled times.

Note, too, the first six words in verse 2: “I will say to the Lord…” God Most High, Almighty God, the LORD welcomes YOUR WORDS, YOUR LAMENT, YOUR CRIES for help. Even if you can’t utter a word aloud, He hears each word in your heart. Such intimate conversation, and through it, He offers His compassion and His loving embrace. Go to Him. Dwell in Him. Receive from Him all you need not just to survive your loss – but to thrive!!!