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God is faithful and will not allow us to be crushed.

Losing a spouse is an incredibly painful experience. Between the weight of grief and additional responsibilities, it sometimes feels like we carry the weight of the world. Suddenly the shared tasks of two people now fall solely on our shoulders. We may feel crushed. We may feel completely overwhelmed and exhausted, however, it is important to remember that we are not alone. God is with us, and He is faithful to provide us with the peace and strength we need to get through.

“Come to Me…”
Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus invites us to come to Him when we are weary and burdened. He promises to give us rest. When we turn to Him in prayer, He eases our burden and provides us with the strength we need. I am currently facing several overwhelming projects that I can’t complete on my own. Projects at my home, projects at my office, projects at the rental house….. soooo many projects that impact my schedule, my finances, and my sanity! After stressing (hard) about them, I finally surrendered them to God, saying, “Ok God, I give these to You. Please take them all, I’m taking a step back and I’m going to watch You work.” As I released my control (or lack thereof), a sense of peace and comfort overcame me. Though I still have to manage these projects, and they are still hard, I remember that I’m not alone and He is at work.

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)

Communicate needs

Another way God works to help ease our burdens is through family and friends. When we reach out, this allows them to share in our grief and provide us with needed support, comfort, and strength. I am often reminded that others are blessed when we communicate a need. Asking for help does not come naturally to me at all, particularly when so many needs are evident and obvious, however, there is a mutual blessing when a need is fulfilled by someone who cares about us.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

Bring our concerns before Him

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that when we bring our concerns to God in prayer, He gives us His peace, which surpasses all understanding. He guards our hearts and minds and provides us with the courage we need to face each day. Sometimes, when we feel overwhelmed, it can be helpful to release our burdens to God and trust that He will take care of them. We may still have all the things to manage, but we can find peace in knowing that we are not in this alone. I think it is also important to note that He will guard our hearts and our minds… both of which influence our decisions as we journey through this life.

God gets us through 100% of the hard days. Always has, and always will.–

In conclusion, the loss of a spouse can be excruciating, and the weight of it is heavy. Nevertheless, we can take solace in the fact that we don’t have to bear it alone. When we turn to God for support and strength, He will provide us with the courage to overcome each day. We can trust that He is faithful, and good, and will guide us through every tribulation and hardship.

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that Your heart is for us. You are at work in our lives, and Your love for us never ceases. Help us to see Your fingerprints throughout our days and feel the peace that only You can give.