Grieving...

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.  So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”—John 16:21-22

I believe in this month God is calling us to a month of spiritual anguish and grieving. Not because something is wrong but rather because we should birth something in the Spirit world. What we birth should carry us ministerialy the whole year!

This weekend I was at both prayer meetings on Sun and there was a heaviness in my heart. A grieving of sort in the Spirit. I didn’t understand it. I knew why---I was grieving in the Spirit and asking God how do we pray for the young men and women of your body struggling with heavy addictions? How do we pray for those who simply want nothing with you? But there was such a heaviness of heart in me as if it was my own children or brothers struggling almost even as if it was my own struggle. This was Sun morning at prayer. God had me quiet in His presence for 2 hours. Not giving Him any fancy wording of praise (I’m good at it).  He just said stop and contemplate. It was at the end of that session that the heaviness of heart came.  He was speaking to me; He was making me grieve.  Why?? Because before I can birth or receive anything of the Spirit I have to have a time to grieve.  That is what He is telling the disciples.  You will grieve…you will not be celebrating like the world is—vs. 20 says, “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”  The world started the year celebrating in their own way. Many including believers have not made this month one of consecration or separating themselves with God—they are still celebrating from December.  Some are not celebrating but in their hearts is a sadness and grieving of the flesh not the spirit so it’s useless in that it won’t birth spirit plans.

After the prayer yesterday morning I was going to go have breakfast but couldn’t because I just wanted to keep grieving. It was strange!! This morning when I read this passage I knew what was going on---I was in the time of grief over the temptations and sin these young people are facing. How can I celebrate when my brothers and sisters are dying in sin? How can I use this time to celebrate while mothers and fathers are losing their sons and daughters to immorality, pornography, and party spirit? In the Old Testament there is a song the children of Israel sang where they ask how can we rejoice when our cities are destroyed? A Psalm where they ask how can we sing songs of laughter while we are in captivity?? There is no rejoicing  in my heart. I clarify its not a sadness in the flesh. I am not upset, bothered, or lacking in my life—God is good and is being good to me. He is taking care of my needs. The Lord is my shepherd and I am not in want---this is a Spirit led grieving. I am to birth something this month! This is my time to grieve.  But then Jesus tells them…”your grief will turn to joy.”  A joy a satisfaction that comes from knowing God is working in the lives. A joy that comes seeing Spirit led breakthroughs.  A joy that comes from the Holy Spirit that surpasses all circumstances.  The Holy Spirit would come and these men and women would come to know joy---real joy!! He would raise their spirits. He would be the answer to their problems!! Hence the joy coming…

It’s nice to know my grief can turn to joy. It would be helpless to not know this---Is God calling you as a member of the body of Christ to grieve in the Spirit? Does He want you to take time away from celebrating with the world?  Ask Him.  Ask Him what He has for you?  God is good in that although He had me grieving in the morning prayer set I was given time to praise Him in the night prayer set!! So I got to praise Him.  If I would have not been available to go into God’s presence by way of prayer I would have missed out on that blessing!! Don’t ever think you’ve prayed too much, praised too much, given too much---there is a blessing every time we dig deeper and go the extra mile. 

Adelante!

-Bea

Generation Glory

Iglesia Cristiana Adonai