This is a special lesson I wanted to do in honor of my Grandmother who just passed. This is based on my experience of the trial I went through since late 2015. I hope this can help someone out there who may have gone through the same thing, or are going through the same thing.

Throughout life you will go through trials. Trials are put on you by God in order to test your faith. If you can come out of it still holding on to the cross, then your faith is strengthened and you have more understanding to help your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The pain of losing a loved one is one of the greatest pains to feel in the world. It can take a lifetime to get over this pain. But God understands our pain. He took our pain upon Himself when He went to the cross.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

My story of my recent loss (but Heaven's gain!) can be found in another book on my profile called A Letter To You.

2 Chronicles 12:1-16 talks about how Rehoboam replaced Solomon as king and experienced good times at the beginning of his rule. But as his power and popularity grew, he abandoned God, and his rule and nation plummeted into destruction. They had abandoned the Lord's teachings, and thus lost out on God's promises.

This chapter taught us that you need to worship God through the good times and the bad times. When you turn away from Him is when all that was good turns to bad. So choose this day to talk with the Lord and build a relationship with Him. So that when you fall, He will pick you up and give you strength.

The book of Job is all about trials and perseverance. If we look in Job 1:20-22 we can see that even a truly righteous and blessed man of God went through a trial of faith. He lost everything, and everyone seemed to turn on him. Job questioned God, expressed his anger toward Him - but he never cursed Him. He trusted Him even when his world was falling apart. Because of that faith, God remained in control of Job's life.

God knows what we can handle and what we can't. He will never put something on us that would be too hard for us. Like with Job, God knew he was a man of great faith and that these trials would make him even stronger. He has our lives planned out and molds us into the people He wants us to be. He uses our circumstances to do it.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

When tragedy strikes, no one is ever prepared for all the feelings or all the questions. You're left with so many emotions that it's hard to focus on one. Denial is a common one, and it's hard to cope with the sudden loss.

The passing of a loved one can be hard on you and the family and friends who knew them. Everyone handles grief in their own way, but God is right in the midst. He said He will never leave us nor forsake us. You are never alone, you have God's promise on that.

Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won't become weary. They will walk and won't grow tired.
Isaiah 40:31

God allows us to experience tests that challenge our faith. We will go through times where nothing seems to go right. It's important to trust in God during these times. He wants us to rely on Him! Even during the bad times He's right there at work for you. He wants us to trust in Him on everything and have the faith to depend on Him when it comes to the good and the bad.

When we remain faithful and trust God - even through the most difficult of circumstances - we develop endurance. This helps our faith mature.

My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won't need anything.
James 1:2-4

It takes hard work to live for Christ. Discipline. Courage. Persistence. Mental fortitude. Self-control. Persevere until you are standing at the feet of our Father.

Through my own experience in the past eight months, it had gotten to the point where it was hard to feel God's presence. I felt like my strong faith was gone, but in my hour of need it all came rushing back and I felt at peace. I was given joy so that sorrow didn't completely swallow me. He has protected me from the enemy's approach and I have been given comfort in His arms. My faith is stronger than ever because I have endured. I feel so much stronger now and I am so thankful to be near Him.

Remain in God's love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.
Jude verse 21

Jude tells us to "remain." Remain in God's love. Remain in the trial.

Life is like a race. You strive to reach the finish line - Heaven is your goal. There will be bumps and detours along the way and others may laugh and ridicule you for taking the other path. But if you remain in God, He will keep guiding you. It may be grueling to reach that finish line, but God is right there every step of the way.

When you cry out,
Let your collection of idols deliver you.
But the wind will carry them all away,
A breath will take them.
But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land,
And shall inherit My holy mountain.
Isaiah 57:13

Instead of seeking your comfort in worldly things, seek your comfort in God.

In our time of grieving, many people lose themselves and turn to splurging. Whether it be shopping for clothes, food, jewelry, and other material items. You feel amazing buying that new outfit, but when you get home you regret spending the money that you needed.

God's comfort is forever, and absolutely free. It will fill you up, and won't let you down. You won't regret it later.

God can use our suffering by giving us opportunities to comfort others who share the same pain. You are not the only one who has gone through the pain that you are feeling. There are others; God puts them in our lives to help us.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort. He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God. Because Christ suffered so much for us, we can receive so much comfort from Him. Besides, if we suffer, it brings you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, we can effectively comfort you when you endure the same sufferings that we endure.
2 Corinthians 1:3-6

You are able to gain a greater understanding after going through your trial. I battled depression for three years and now I've been able to help those who are experiencing it.

Think about it; if you've lost a pet, there are others who can help you through it because they've already been there.

So just remember that there will be pain in life, some greater than others. When it comes, it will confuse us, depress us, stun us.

It all happened to Jesus. He knew that His death was coming soon, so He went to a garden to pray with His closest friends. He was in such emotional pain that he prayed, "Father, if it's possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. But let Your will be done rather than mine." At that moment, our Messiah was in pain, and the pain was crushing His heart.

Remember what Jesus did for you. His pain was our gain. He was beaten, ridiculed, executed. And when you bring your pain to Him, He will understand. He took on the sins of the world for us.

You will go through trials in life. There will be pain, there will be suffering. God never promised that this walk with Him would be easy, but we have His promise that He will be there every step of the way - even if it seems like you're alone, you're not. You will face hardships. You will build your endurance, and finally you will be comforted by the Lord in your grief and mourning and will thus be able to help others in the same way.

Thank you, Lord, for understanding my anger, pain, and sadness. I don't always understand why things happen, and I don't always like the way things go, but you are the Creator and Savior. I trust you. Lord help me to rely on you and give you control over my life. Strengthen myself Lord so that I may help those in need. Thank you for being with me, I want to continue to build my trust and faith in you. Amen.