GOD OF OUR LOSSES

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:2-5
Topic: How to understand times of great grief
Big Idea: Only through faith in a loving God can we survive the grief and pain of loss.
Keywords: Death; Death, mourning for; God, faithfulness of; God, love of; Grief; Loss; Pain; Sorrow; Suffering
Introduction:
2 Corinthians 1:2-5 All grief and loss are the same
Grief over the death of a spouse is not basically different than grief over divorce.
Illustration: Wives whose husbands went on sea duty for months went through the same loss characteristics as those whose husbands die. We will face many things that are inexplicable
Illustration: Bayly viewed the death of his 18-year-old son as absurd.
In time of loss, it is faith, not reason that will support us.
Illustration: Bayly shares his "Psalm on the Death of an 18-year-old Son."
Illustration: The death of Bayly's four-year-old son to leukemia made no sense and could only be survived by trusting Christ. God shows his love through his people at times of crisis and loss.
Illustration: Lorraine Blazebrook cleaned up the Bayly's kitchen every night during their son's illness.
A Christian pediatric neurosurgeon moved close to Children's Hospital so they could offer hospitality to the parents of children in surgery. God wants us to be honest in our reactions to suffering or loss.
God is big enough to handle our frustration and expressions of grief.
Illustration: Elisabeth Elliot wrote to the Baylys to encourage them in their suffering.
Illustration: Bayly shares a psalm he wrote likening his life to a packing box.
The message of the gospel is that Jesus bears our grief and carries our sorrows. Conclusion:
Illustration: After losing three sons, another was born with the same condition, and Bayly wrote a psalm expressing his fears and hopes.