Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV).

If the Haitian earthquake shows anything, it surely shows us the terrible pain in the midst of grief. Grief is something all of us experience at one time or another. Many survivors are the last of their entire family. They have lost parents, children, spouses, and friends in what may be one of the worst natural disasters of modern history. The media has given ample coverage of this sorrow. However, there are others who have suffered loss just as significant in other part of the world. Perhaps you are one of those suffering today. Whatever the scope of loss, the grief is just as real. And, it's often difficult to find comfort or understanding.

Our reading today gives us an insight into how you can find comfort in the midst of sorrow. The writer says, Let us then approach the throne of grace! You see, in Jesus, we have a comforter who understands what it is like to live in a human body and suffer the pain of human loss. When Jesus lost His friend Lazarus, he wept. Heartbreak and sorrow are not a mystery to our Lord. He knows them and has sympathy for our losses. But sympathy is little comfort to the woman that has to endure without her husband.

There is little physical or emotional comfort from grief. Part of living is surviving the death of a loved one. No matter how we try we can’t get around the aching, the pining and the loneliness. We also experience anger, both at God and the one who has left us. Depression, anxiety, and guilt are common feelings for those in grief.

During these times, it would be so easy to pull away from God and blame Him for the pain we feel. His shoulders are big enough for our anger so rail away at Him if it helps for a bit. But take the time to reflect on the comfort He offers us, too. Share your tears with God. Sometimes, the tears of grief are really a prayer, even when there are no words. Tears help wash away some of the grief. If feels like there is a bottomless well of tears, especially when our grief is fresh. Your tears are so precious to God in fact that He records each one of them and stores them (Psalm 56:8). He so wants to help you through this and carry the burden for you.