Mourning is one of the toughest seasons we can face in our lives, but with the help of God, we are able to find healing and purpose in the middle of it all.

Are you in a season of mourning? Maybe you aren’t currently, but mourning is an inevitable human experience. There are many truths that we can see in the scripture about mourning. These truths are meant to both encourage you in the present, and prepare you for future seasons of mourning.

On the day that Jesus was crucified, all his followers mourned. The day was completely covered in darkness, there was pain and grief to the highest degree.

If you are in a season where you are experiencing pain and grief, please know that you are not alone. It is also very important for you to know that you still have so much purpose.

You can be encouraged knowing this experience will not be wasted. At the exact same time Jesus took his last breath and released his spirit, the scripture says that “the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”

The death of Jesus had a major purpose—to take on the full wrath of God so that all of humanity and God no longer had to be separated. The veil that once separated man from God in the temple was torn forever.

Purpose might look different than what you expected

Another miraculous event that happened as a result of the death of Jesus is found only a few verses further in scripture. Again, when Jesus took his last breath and released his spirit, the Earth rumbled, so much so that the rocks split and all the Roman soldiers were terrified.

As a result of this event, the soldiers confessed  “This man truly was the Son of God!” These men were changed forever, their eyes were opened to the truth.  Although those who mourned for Jesus did not see the purpose in their pain yet, they soon would.

Even if you don’t see the purpose in your pain yet, trust and believe that the day of understanding is coming—even if it’s not on this side of eternity or it doesn’t look exactly how you thought it would.

Not only does the Bible teach us that our mourning always has purpose, but it teaches us that it is temporary. Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” There is grace, and space, for us to mourn. We are not promised that weeping won’t happen, but we are promised that it won’t last.

If you are in a season of mourning, and feel like it will never come to an end, begin resting today in the peace and joy of the Lord. With his strength, start putting one foot in front of the other. One day you will look back and truly see how far you have come.

Whether you are currently in a season of mourning or not, learning about these truths are essential. While mourning is inevitable, it is nothing to feel intimidated by.

God works everything together for the good of those who love him, even our pain. Please remember: He is doing a good thing. You will see the purpose, even if it’s not immediately evident, and you will get through it by his grace.

Joy is coming, friend. Don’t lose hope.

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