Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
LUKE 24:13-17 | 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.
A great deal of life’s stress is connected with loss. Cleopas and an unnamed disciple are walking to Emmaus, processing their grief and sorrow over the death of Jesus. Their grief, like all loss, was individual. Each of them had a unique relationship with Him, and the manner of His exhortation made the loss traumatic. But individual grief usually has common characteristics.
- Grief dismantles — Our identities are relational, and loss changes the pattern of our relationships, shifting our identities.
- Grief disorients — Loss changes our schedules, roles, and responsibilities, and the patterns of our thoughts and emotions.
- Grief disrupts — Suddenly conversations end, projects and plans cannot be pursued, and the map of the future must be reconfigured.
- Grief demoralizes — Loss introduces a confounding set of competing emotions: sadness, anger, numbness, anxiety, denial, and sometimes guilt and regret.
Have you experienced A, B, C, or D? How was God present with you in this?
Gracious God,
Help us to face life’s inevitable losses with courage, trusting You are there to walk with us.
Amen.
