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Comfort in Times ofComfort in Times of

GriefGrief

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There are times when we undergo a veryThere are times when we undergo a verydifficult trial:death of a loved one,difficult trial:death of a loved one,diagnosis of a disease, where wediagnosis of a disease, where weexperience grief.experience grief.

Prov 14:10Prov 14:10

Each heart knows its own bitternessEach heart knows its own bitterness(=trouble), and no one else can share its(=trouble), and no one else can share itsjoy.joy.

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These are times where our spirits ourThese are times where our spirits ourbrokenbroken

A merry heart maketh a cheerfulA merry heart maketh a cheerfulcountenance: but by sorrow(=pain orcountenance: but by sorrow(=pain orwound) of the heart the spirit is broken.wound) of the heart the spirit is broken.

(Pro 15:13, KJV)(Pro 15:13, KJV)

We just sometimes have to admit to GodWe just sometimes have to admit to Godour painour pain

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BUT :The Lord gives usBUT :The Lord gives us comfortcomfort

Faith in the Lord does not make one's grief orFaith in the Lord does not make one's grief ortrial hurt less, nor does faith make ittrial hurt less, nor does faith make itdisappear...but this faith gives us incredibledisappear...but this faith gives us incrediblestrength and encouragement and comfort in ourstrength and encouragement and comfort in our

grief, and keeps us from being swallowed bygrief, and keeps us from being swallowed bydespair.despair.

From Joshua Harris blogFrom Joshua Harris blog

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Sources of comfort:Sources of comfort:

#1 source: the Holy Spirit#1 source: the Holy Spirit

And I will pray the Father, and he shallAnd I will pray the Father, and he shallgive you anothergive you another ComforterComforter, that he may, that he may

abide with you for everabide with you for ever

(John 14:16)(John 14:16)

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But the Comforter,But the Comforter, which iswhich is the Holythe Holy

Ghost, whom the Father will send in myGhost, whom the Father will send in my

name, he shall teach you all things, andname, he shall teach you all things, andbring all things to your remembrance,bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.whatsoever I have said unto you.

(Joh 14:26)(Joh 14:26)

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But when the Comforter is come, whom IBut when the Comforter is come, whom I

will send unto you from the Father,will send unto you from the Father, eveneven

theS

pirit of truth, which proceedeth fromtheS

pirit of truth, which proceedeth fromthe Father, he shall testify of me:the Father, he shall testify of me:

(John15:26)(John15:26)

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But because I have said these things unto you,But because I have said these things unto you,

sorrow hath filled your heart.sorrow hath filled your heart.

(John 16:6)(John 16:6)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedientNevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient

for you that I go away: for if I go not away, thefor you that I go away: for if I go not away, the

Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart,Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart,I will send him unto you.I will send him unto you.

(John 16:7)(John 16:7)

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Comforter: (Greek parakletos)Comforter: (Greek parakletos)

summoned, called to ones side, especially called tosummoned, called to ones side, especially called toones aidones aid

1a) one who pleads anothers cause before a judge, a1a) one who pleads anothers cause before a judge, apleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, anpleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, anadvocateadvocate

1b) one who pleads anothers cause with one, an1b) one who pleads anothers cause with one, anintercessorintercessor

1b1) Christ in his exaltation at Gods right hand,1b1) Christ in his exaltation at Gods right hand,pleading with God the Father for the pardon of ourpleading with God the Father for the pardon of oursinssins

1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider,1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider,assistantassistant

1c1) the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of1c1) the Holy Spirit destined to take the place ofChrist with the apostles (after his ascension to theChrist with the apostles (after his ascension to theFather), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of theFather), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of thegospel truth, and give them divine strength neededgospel truth, and give them divine strength neededto enable them to undergo trials and persecutionsto enable them to undergo trials and persecutionson behalf of the divine kingdomon behalf of the divine kingdom

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THE LORD PRAYS FOR USTHE LORD PRAYS FOR US

During the times we are in deep sorrow and we areDuring the times we are in deep sorrow and we aregrieving, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, alongside us.grieving, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, alongside us.

Rom 8:26Rom 8:26--27272626 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in ourIn the same way, the Spirit helps us in ourweakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for,weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for,but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans thatbut the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans thatwords cannot express.words cannot express.

2727 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind ofAnd he who searches our hearts knows the mind ofthe Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints inthe Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints inaccordance with God's will.accordance with God's will.

(NIV)(NIV)

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And the Lord Jesus intercedes for us,And the Lord Jesus intercedes for us,even in our sorrow, when we are not ableeven in our sorrow, when we are not ableto pray because of our painto pray because of our pain

Rom 8:34Rom 8:34

3434 Who is he that condemns? ChristWho is he that condemns? Christ

Jesus, who diedJesus, who died---- more than that, whomore than that, whowas raised to lifewas raised to life---- is at the right hand ofis at the right hand ofGod and is also interceding for us.God and is also interceding for us.

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THE LORD STRENGTHENSUSTHE LORD STRENGTHENSUS

The woman with the issue of bloodThe woman with the issue of blood

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, heBut Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, hesaid, Daughter, be ofsaid, Daughter, be of good comfortgood comfort; thy faith hath made; thy faith hath madethee whole. And the woman was made whole from thatthee whole. And the woman was made whole from thathour.hour.

(Mat 9:22)(Mat 9:22)

She reached out to the Lord. In her lowly, broken, sickShe reached out to the Lord. In her lowly, broken, sick

state, she just reached for Jesus hem. Yun lang angstate, she just reached for Jesus hem. Yun lang angabot niya o kaya niyang abutin.abot niya o kaya niyang abutin.

When we reach out to the Lord, the Lord says be ofWhen we reach out to the Lord, the Lord says be ofgood comfortgood comfort

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Comfort:Comfort:

GreekGreek tharseotharseo

to be of good courage, be of good cheerto be of good courage, be of good cheer

The Lord gives us courage = lakas ng loobThe Lord gives us courage = lakas ng loob

Datapuwa't paglingon ni Jesus at pagkakita saDatapuwa't paglingon ni Jesus at pagkakita sa

kaniya, ay sinabi, Anak, lakasan mo ang iyongkaniya, ay sinabi, Anak, lakasan mo ang iyong

loob; pinagaling ka ng iyong pananampalataya.loob; pinagaling ka ng iyong pananampalataya.At gumaling ang babae mula sa oras na yaon.At gumaling ang babae mula sa oras na yaon.

(Mat(Mat 99::2222))

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The Lord gives us cheer: Tagalog Bible ofThe Lord gives us cheer: Tagalog Bible of

Comforter= MANGAALIWComforter= MANGAALIWAt ako'y dadalangin sa Ama, at kayo'yAt ako'y dadalangin sa Ama, at kayo'y

bibigyan niya ng ibang Mangaaliw, upangbibigyan niya ng ibang Mangaaliw, upang

siyang suma inyo magpakailan man,siyang suma inyo magpakailan man,

(Joh 14:16)(Joh 14:16)

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God is the God of all comfortGod is the God of all comfort

BlessedBlessed bebe God, even the Father of our LordGod, even the Father of our LordJesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the GodJesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the Godof all comfort;(2Co 1:3)of all comfort;(2Co 1:3)

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that weWho comforteth us in all our tribulation, that wemay be able to comfort them which are in anymay be able to comfort them which are in anytrouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselvestrouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselvesare comforted of God.(2Co 1:4)are comforted of God.(2Co 1:4)

Comfort (parakaleo)=paglapit, pagpapalakasComfort (parakaleo)=paglapit, pagpapalakasTribulation(thlipsis)= pressure, oppression,Tribulation(thlipsis)= pressure, oppression,affliction, distress, straitsaffliction, distress, straits

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The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: butThe grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but

the word of our God shall stand for ever.the word of our God shall stand for ever.

(Isa 40:8)(Isa 40:8)

Ang damo ay natutuyo, ang bulaklak ayAng damo ay natutuyo, ang bulaklak ay

nalalanta; nguni't ang salita ng ating Diosnalalanta; nguni't ang salita ng ating Diosay mamamalagi magpakailan man.ay mamamalagi magpakailan man.

(Isa 40:8)(Isa 40:8)

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#3 source of comfort: brothers and sisters#3 source of comfort: brothers and sistersin Christ, Christs churchin Christ, Christs church

WhereforeWherefore comfortcomfort yourselves together,yourselves together,and edify one another, even as also ye do.and edify one another, even as also ye do.

(1Th 5:11)(1Th 5:11)

Dahil dito kayo'y mangagpangaralan, atDahil dito kayo'y mangagpangaralan, at

mangagpatibayan sa isa't isa sa inyo,mangagpatibayan sa isa't isa sa inyo,gaya ng inyong ginagawa.gaya ng inyong ginagawa.

(1Th 5:11)(1Th 5:11)

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Comfort= parakaleo =lumapit, palakasin,Comfort= parakaleo =lumapit, palakasin,pangaralan upang lumakas ang loobpangaralan upang lumakas ang loob

to call to ones side, call for, summonto call to ones side, call for, summon

to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), whichto address, speak to, (call to, call upon), whichmay be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty,may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty,comfort, instruction, etc.comfort, instruction, etc. 2a) to admonish, exhort2a) to admonish, exhort

2b) to beg, entreat, beseech2b) to beg, entreat, beseech2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty

2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen byconsolation, to comfortconsolation, to comfort

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Thats why our pastors and friends inThats why our pastors and friends in

Church visit us in times of pressure,Church visit us in times of pressure,

tribulation, afflictiontribulation, affliction

And we sent Timotheus, our brother, andAnd we sent Timotheus, our brother, and

minister of God, and our fellow labourer inminister of God, and our fellow labourer in

the gospel of Christ, to establish you, andthe gospel of Christ, to establish you, and

to comfort you concerning your faithto comfort you concerning your faith

(1Th 3:2)(1Th 3:2)

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Comfort/Cheer up/encourage other discouragedComfort/Cheer up/encourage other discouragedChristiansChristians

Prov 17:22Prov 17:22

2222 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but aA cheerful heart is good medicine, but acrushed spirit dries up the bones.crushed spirit dries up the bones.

GUSTO NG LORD, CHEERFUL KAGUSTO NG LORD, CHEERFUL KA

Rejoice evermore.Rejoice evermore.

(1Th 5:16)(1Th 5:16)

Rejoice: chairoRejoice: chairo-- to be full of cheer, calmlyto be full of cheer, calmly happyhappyororwell offwell off

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Donts:Donts:

Dont comfort yourself with the miseries ofDont comfort yourself with the miseries ofothers. (ex. magpasalamat dahil masothers. (ex. magpasalamat dahil masmahirap ang sitwasyon ng iba)mahirap ang sitwasyon ng iba)

Dont comfort yourself with alcohol orDont comfort yourself with alcohol ordrugs.(masisira ang atay at utak)drugs.(masisira ang atay at utak)

Dont comfort yourself by insulting othersDont comfort yourself by insulting others(ex. Pangit naman siya, masa maganda(ex. Pangit naman siya, masa magandaako sa kanya)ako sa kanya)

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Sino ang maghihiwalay sa atin sa pagibig niSino ang maghihiwalay sa atin sa pagibig ni

Cristo? ang kapighatian, o ang kahapisan, o angCristo? ang kapighatian, o ang kahapisan, o ang

paguusig, o ang kagutum, o ang kahubaran, opaguusig, o ang kagutum, o ang kahubaran, o

ang panganib, o ang tabak? (Rom 8:35)ang panganib, o ang tabak? (Rom 8:35)

Gaya ng nasusulat, Dahil sa iyo kami'yGaya ng nasusulat, Dahil sa iyo kami'y

pinapatay sa buong araw; Kami ay nabilang napinapatay sa buong araw; Kami ay nabilang na

parang mga tupa sa patayan. (Rom 8:36)parang mga tupa sa patayan. (Rom 8:36)

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Hindi, kundi sa lahat ng mga bagay na ito tayo'yHindi, kundi sa lahat ng mga bagay na ito tayo'yhigit pa sa mga mapagtagumpay sahigit pa sa mga mapagtagumpay sapamamagitan niyaong sa atin ay umibig. (Rompamamagitan niyaong sa atin ay umibig. (Rom

88::3737))

Sapagka't ako'y naniniwalang lubos, na kahitSapagka't ako'y naniniwalang lubos, na kahitang kamatayan man, kahit ang buhay, kahit angang kamatayan man, kahit ang buhay, kahit ang

mga anghel, kahit ang mga pamunuan, kahitmga anghel, kahit ang mga pamunuan, kahitang mga bagay na kasalukuyan, kahit ang mgaang mga bagay na kasalukuyan, kahit ang mgabagay na darating, kahit ang mgabagay na darating, kahit ang mgakapangyarihan, (Romkapangyarihan, (Rom 88::3838))

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Kahit ang kataasan, kahit ang kababaan,Kahit ang kataasan, kahit ang kababaan,

kahit ang alin mang ibang nilalang, aykahit ang alin mang ibang nilalang, ay

hindi makapaghihiwalay sa atin sa pagibighindi makapaghihiwalay sa atin sa pagibig

ng Dios, na nasa kay Cristo Jesus nang Dios, na nasa kay Cristo Jesus na

Panginoon natin. (Rom 8:39)Panginoon natin. (Rom 8:39)

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May God himself, the God who makesMay God himself, the God who makeseverything holy and whole, make you holy andeverything holy and whole, make you holy andwhole, put you togetherwhole, put you together----spirit, soul, and bodyspirit, soul, and body----

and keep you fit for the coming of our Master,and keep you fit for the coming of our Master,Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ.

(1Th 5:23)(1Th 5:23)

The One who called you is completelyThe One who called you is completelydependable. If he said it, he'll do it!dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

(1Th 5:24)(1Th 5:24)