All of our emotions come from God. There is nothing that we have that wasn’t giving to us by God. Of course free will came through a choice that we made. But emotionally, we have that same emotions that God has. So I ask you, does God suffer grief?

Grief is a powerful emotion. It can change the way we think and act toward people and God. When my mother died, I began to grieve. My grieving lasted almost 4 years. I carried it like a banner. I was consumed with grief. I could hardly function. I went through the motions everyday. I put on a halfhearted smile on my face that lied to most people. I said I was fine but could hardly find my way in life. It was one of the most devastating times in my life. If it hadn’t been for God’s intervention into my life, it would have been a death spiral for me. I am not saying that I don’t feel pain when I think of my mother, but grief doesn’t have a death grip on me.

I found three examples of God grieving over mankind. The first is when King Saul didn’t do what God sent him to do. God sent Saul and the Israelite army to utterly destroy the Amalekites. When Saul returned, the prophet Samuel was sent to talk to him. He said, Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying,It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: (1 Samuel 15:10-11). God grieve that He had made Saul king over Israel. The second is when Jesus went to Lazarus grave. Jesus loved Martha, Mary and their brother, Lazarus. Lazarus had died and Jesus and the disciples went to the grave site. And the scriptures say that Jesus wept (John 11). The third example comes from Revelation. Revelation is about the destruction of earth and mankind. There are vial, trumpets and seals opened. Each one is more devastating than the last one. It says in Revelation 8:1, And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. God grieved over the destruction of mankind.

So to answer my question, Does God grieve? The answer is yes. God grieves just like we do. We are the image and likeness of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com