1. “Turning Grief into Growth!” Psalm 137:1-9

2. Let’s Join Israel By the Waters of Babylon 587 B.C. Acute despair for individuals and the community of faith! Lost their nation and way of life Temple destroyed – center of worship Many deaths at hands of “rebellious” Babylonians

3. The Broader Scope of Loss Dramatic changes in our culture Q: does God still judge nations??? Unwanted/unexpected changes Long-term family dreams / goals Changes in health Changes in career / work / income A move to a new community Grief from personal sin / failures Question: How Can We COPE?

4. 1. Understand You’re in a Process Called Grief 5 stages of grieving * Numbness - Physical pain = faint * Nostalgia - “the way we were” * Anger / Frustration / Jealous of others “I can’t have it the way it was” * Sadness/depression - realization – “I won’t have it the way it was” * Acceptance and growth - seeing new signs of life and beauty

5. Seeing Israel in Grief Recovery Psalm 137 Vs. 1 - nostalgia – “we sat” “we remembered” Vs. 2-4 - numbness - “hung our harps” and the “HOW?” question Vs.3 – Profound sadness – reciting how “bad” things really are Vs. 5-6 – Clinging to memories! Vs. 7 - 9 - anger - directed at enemies – the source of the changes

6. 2. Take Ownership of Your Feelings The Psalmist is honest in Psalm 137 Grief led to humble repentance vs. 6 – (now) “You are my chief joy! Vs. 8-9 – vindication of the Lord’s ways Examples of denying reality: * some say, “don’t cry!” * you shouldn’t feel that way! * it’s a sin to be angry! * you shouldn’t be afraid

7. King David’s Honest Outpouring Before God Psalm 18:4-6 – when facing death! (the loss of security, life itself!) Psalm 57:1-7 – when facing opposition, David takes refuge in the Lord! Psalms 32, 51 – grief triggers repentance

8. King David’s Grief Following His Child’s Death – 2 Samuel 12:15 Vs. 15,18 – the child died Vs. 20 – went to worship the Lord * repentance? * adultery with Bathsheba * arranged death of Uriah Vs. 20 – then he ate Vs. 23 – reality “I will go to him, but he will not return to me”

9. 3. Turning the Corner: Look to God for Hope 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – “grieve, but not as those who have no hope” John 16:33 - “I have overcome the world” John 14:18 - “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” Philippians 1:6 - “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”

10. Where Israel Found Hope While Captive in Babylon 70 years – Jeremiah 25:11 Note: hope stems from what God says! Strategy of blessing the communities where you live now (Babylon) – Jeremiah 29:4-7

11. Turning Grief into Growth Embrace time – deeper the grief, more complex the recovery Learn from others in similar settings (join a grief recovery group?) 2 Corinthians1:3-5 Rest in the God of all hope – (Romans 15:13) + “scrapbook your future!”