THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 22ND NOVEMBER 2025, SATURDAY MESSAGE
A Journey through Grief
Sylvia Engen Espe (Alberta, Canada)
Today’s Reading
Psalm 147:1-3
[The Lord] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
“Dear Lord,” I prayed, “I feel as though I have reached the bottom of despair.” I was on my way home from my son’s funeral. What right did the people on the streets have to be happy? Why was the musician allowed to play a merry tune outside of the music store as I passed by? My world was shattered. Didn’t they understand?
The road loomed ahead of me out into the darkness. Then to my astonishment, as I approached a small village, an illuminated cross on a church came into my view. God, you are with me, I thought. You know the depth of my sorrow. The cross reminded me of the suffering Jesus endured for me, and I was comforted.
I knew that in time I would have to accept my son’s sudden death. Denial was not a choice. I began to realize I had been blessed to have had my son in my life for 33 years. Time is indeed a healer, but this fact is of no comfort when grief first strikes. As time has gone by, the lives of my relatives and friends have returned to normal, but mine has not. Working through grief isn’t easy, but it is necessary. And I know that only God’s constant love can deliver us from despair.
Thought for the Day
Even in my deepest grief, God’s healing love will find me.
Prayer Focus
Someone I know who is grieving
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for being with us as we walk through the valley of death. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 22nd November 2025 is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More