Gratitude in Grief

As the holidays approach, I'm reminded of God's abundant blessings. It truly is a privilege to live in the USA. We’re blessed with the home we've been given, the family we have, and so much more. Yet as I look around, I’m also reminded that some of us may be celebrating the holidays without someone we love, carrying broken hopes, or wrestling with doubt. Times can be difficult—yet still full of joy if we know where to look.

Romans 15:13 tells us:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Even in a holiday season marked by grief, first-time hardships, or emotional weight, we have hope in Jesus Christ. I’m reminded of David when he wrote Psalm 51. This psalm came after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba. David realized the depth of his wrongdoing, humbled himself before God, and recognized who God is in his life. It’s a powerful picture of true repentance.

Psalm 51:7–12 says:

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

This passage reflects the same salvation we have today in Christ. This is what brings us true joy, even in the hardships we face. We have hope that we will see our loved ones again. We have hope that our goals and dreams will come to pass according to God’s will. And we have hope because the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

My prayer for anyone facing difficulty—whether in circumstances, family, or the quiet grief only you know—is that God would restore in you the joy of His salvation.

I’ll leave you with a verse from my favorite passage in all of Scripture, Romans 8:28:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

If you don't know what true joy through salvation is, all you have to do is what David did. Turn away from sin in your life, and recognize you need Jesus. Believe who Jesus is (the Son of God who died and rose again), and pray and ask Him to be Lord over your life and start following Him today.