Let Grief Motivate You

“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20 NKJV

In a story published by SPS News yesterday, it was reported that William Goodge smashed the world record for running across Australia after spending more than a month on foot. Spurred on by his mother's battle with cancer, and with his father by his side, William Goodge crossed the finish line in Sydney just after 4pm on Monday. It brings an end to 35 days of pounding the pavement, striding the equivalent of two and a half marathons per day. That's four days quicker than previous record holder, Chris Turnbull, who completed the 3800km feat in 39 days in 2023. The 31-year-old Brit crossed the finish line at Bondi Beach, making his massive run a new Guinness World Record… After crossing the line he was handed a bunch of flowers which he placed at the shoreline in memory of his late mother who passed away from cancer in 2018. “She was the most special person in my life ... she passed away seven and a half years ago to cancer," he said. Throughout the run, Mr Goodge has raised money for the Cancer Council of Australia in honour of his mother Amanda. Goodge said he used his grief and the strength his mother showed while fighting the disease to motivate him to do something positive instead of "waving the white flag".

And, you know, while many people will wave the “white flag” and surrender under the weight and despair of grief, Christians should not. Why? Because we not only have the promise that God will work ALL things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (that’s us!), but we have the example of Jesus, who personally proved the promise to be true. Before going to the cross, Jesus said this to the disciples, “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” In declaring this, Jesus made it clear that what was about to happen would not be pleasant. The disciples would grieve His death. But by this, Jesus taught them (and us) to look beyond their suffering, confident that there was a greater purpose in it than what their eyes could see or their minds could comprehend. Jesus did indeed die on the cross, but their sorrow was turned to joy when He rose from the grave three days later and conquered death once and for all. Jesus later sent the Holy Spirit to live inside us, fulfilling the perfect plan of redemption God brought from all the pain. 

So, if you’re going through a season of grief today, look up my friend. Trust that God has a purpose for your pain and let that truth motivate you to seek and discover the ‘silver lining’ in your sorrow and then pursue it for good. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word that reminds us that this life is not all there is and that death is not the end for the person who believes in You. Help us to find purpose in our pain, Lord, that our sorrow may be turned to joy and good would come out of our wvery trial. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!