Can Permanent Anger or Depression Be Caused by Grief?

It’s doubtful that everything we desire can be realized. Failures come at some level in every stage of life. We must keep this in mind so failure and depression will not dominate a normal life. Job 5:7 tells us "man is born for trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward from a fire."

Isaiah 53 describes Jesus as being “oppressed, afflicted, and led as a  lamb to the slaughter”, so even God’s Son was not exempt from trouble and sorrow. The lesson we learn is that there’s a purpose in our grief and suffering. If we remain hopeful, we will receive from our troubles insight for living.

Unfortunately, we can become preoccupied with resentment and anger toward others and God. Job managed his troubles by talking to God, sometimes blaming, sometimes challenging, but acknowledging him as his Redeemer, Counselor, and friend. When trouble comes, ask God to help you experience his comfort and confidence, his joy and peace.

                 

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O my soul, why be so gloomy and discouraged? Trust in God! I shall again praise him for his wondrous help; he will make me smile again, for he is my God!

~Psalm 43:5 The Living Bible

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A Song in the Darkest Night

Goodness, kindness, and joy are close companions, and to possess these attributes gives evidence that hope for the future resides within the heart and soul of the possessor. We live in a time of uncertainty, so the natural response is to become self-protective coupled with anxiety, which is often expressed as anger.

This was Job's reaction when his world collapsed, causing incredible grief. His friends encouraged him to focus on the Lord God "who gives a song in the darkest night." Job’s friends were not discounting his sorrow but reminding him there is joy in knowing God cares, which provides hope for a brighter day.

When God's goodness and faithfulness reside in you, worry and fear are reduced because God is in charge of what you cannot control. Listen to God’s reassuring words. “For I have not given you’re a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.” It’s possible to have hope for the future when the presence of God resides in you.  

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May the Lord show his constant love during the day, so that I may have a song at night, a prayer to the God of my life. Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my Savior and my God.  

~Psalm 42: 8,11 Good News Bible

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Finding Comfort in Hope

It would be regrettable for a person to go through life and never experience grief and sadness because that person would never know what it means to be comforted. Jesus acknowledged, "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." Isaiah identified Jesus as "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief."

Jesus experienced great sorrow as he faced what lay in store for him on the cross. Yet it is difficult for us to heal from grief when memories of great loss keep surfacing. Jeremiah endorsed this truth but confirmed that hope and comfort are also available.

Listen to Jeremiah's words. "When I remember my affliction and bitterness my soul is downcast. Yet, then I remember the Lord’s great love and I have hope because I am not crushed. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness." When memories of the past renew sorrow and grief in you, quickly recall the compassion God extends to you through Christ Jesus and rejoice.  

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Remember your promise to me, your servant; it has given me hope. Even in my suffering I was comforted, [Lord], because your promise gave me life.

~Psalm 119:49-50 Good News Bible

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