I wrote the following article just over four years ago, having experienced more pain and grief than I could ever remember having experienced before. And then in May 2021, I reposted the article, noting the overwhelming amount of grief surrounding me again, grief both my own and that of family and friends. New grief was being experienced; former grief was being relived. Loss was inundating our lives like it always does, but it seemed to have risen to a new level. And then it continued to rise. Loved ones were lost, some suddenly and some slowly. Health declined, jobs disappeared, dreams had to change, and tears ruled the day—and the night. The anniversaries of what had been lost showed up on the calendar as they do every year and had to be faced as surely as the day had to dawn. And here at the outset of 2022, I realize I have just come through a year full of more grief than I have ever known before. But with that realization stands the same underlying truth I knew in 2017 and early 2021, hope and comfort comes, too, because I know the God of all hope and the God of all comfort.
(Repost)
No More Tears
“Whew!” That is about all I can say right now. How about you? Is your heart heavy and hurting? It seems that everywhere I turn, people are in great pain.
I must admit that I have been crying my share of tears this year, even just this month; yes, even just this week. Difficulties just pile and pile on. Relentless. Tears cried in a hospital. Tears cried at a memorial service. Tears cried in my home. Tears cried in anger. Tears cried in pain. Tears cried in disappointment, frustration, offense, ….
Well, I have news for you, for us. For those of us who have Jesus as our Savior, someday there are not going to be any more tears. No more hospital tears, funeral tears, angry tears, pains-of-all-kinds tears. Nope. Not a one.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 KJV)1
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.2
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.3
NOTES
©Text and photo Francee Strain, January 16, 2022.
1 “No More Tears” and photo were originally posted November 15, 2017. Revelation 21:4 taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, public domain.
2 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 taken from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible, ©1982 by Thomas Nelson.
3 Romans 15:13 taken from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible, ©1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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