I often wonder as I am grieving am I reflecting Jesus’ character. What is healthy grieving? What is normal? The emotions come in like waves…they are uncontrollable, unpredictable and my thoughts…   Am I grieving the way God wants me to grieve?

Jesus lost a close friend and His cousin just before His Crucifixion.

“When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.”   Jesus wept. John 11:32-35

Jesus not only wept, but He was also grieved in His spirit and troubled. He experienced grief and felt the grief of those around Him.

When John the Baptist was tragically killed “…Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:13-14.

Even as Jesus suffered and grieved, He comforted those amongst Him.

“who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”   2 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV.

It is our response to grief that determines whether we reflect Jesus’ character.