Tasting the Lord’s Goodness in Pain and Grief

How do we taste the Lord’s goodness in pain and grief?

Have you wondered why Scripture invites us to taste the Lord’s goodness, and not, for example, experience, feel, or observe it? Why did the author of Psalm 34 use this particular word and not another?

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” (Psalm 34:8-9, NIV)

I have had many situations when I tasted God’s goodness in various ways, but the most profound way of literally tasting the nearness and comfort of His presence was in the first months and years of my grief journey.

Tasting the Lord’s Goodness in Pain and Grief

Everybody who has lost a loved one knows the total lack of appetite in the days and weeks following the loss. It seems we no longer feel hungry, and food has lost its appeal. Even when we eat, we eat automatically, not tasting the food and not experiencing pleasure and joy. Food means life, but suddenly our souls are invaded by the icy grip of death and loss. We mourn.

Our appetite for food diminishes, but our spiritual and emotional hunger increases. We pant for the Lord in the desert of loss and grief, longing for His presence, comfort, and explanations. Yes, we have questions, and we want answers.

How can we taste God’s goodness in this valley of the shadow of death when it seems that our physical and spiritual taste buds have lost their sensitivity? Can we enjoy food again? Can we enjoy life again? Is God still good to us when it seems we lack?

Remember to pin me for later!

The Consolation of Human Presence and Shared Meals

I found God’s answer in the numerous meals prepared for me after the life-altering loss I experienced. Left alone, I would not eat, so there was always somebody who took care, prepared a meal, and shared it with me, pulling a chair and cutlery for two or more. I was gently led and seated at a table, being offered food and company.

God knew I needed both. I couldn’t stand being alone after the death of my husband; I couldn’t sleep alone, and I couldn’t eat alone. In the first week, my brother-in-law stayed with me. He prepared all the meals, simple meals, sometimes just bread and butter, and set the table for both of us. We sat at our family table, and I was not alone. After he left, my sister came to stay for a couple of weeks, and I shared the table with her.

Lifting the Burden of Loneliness

A couple of months later, I moved to my homeland to live as a widow. On the first day, I felt so alone. I prepared to visit my parents at their house around noon, and then my aunt called. She said she would come to my parents’ house to bring me something.

Besides her hugs and tears, she brought me my favorite pastry, which she made herself, especially for me. I remember sitting there at the table of my parents, biting into the sweet dough and tasting love. The heavy burden of loneliness and pain had been lifted for a moment. 

In the following months, my sister often invited me to her home, where I stayed a couple of days each week. I had a place at their family table, sharing meals and presence. My appetite for food slowly recovered. Yes, I tasted the Lord’s goodness with every shared meal, and every hug and word of comfort.

God’s Goodness Often Tastes Like a Favorite Meal and a Seat at the Table

God showed me that even though I was suffering, He was still all goodness and love towards me. He invited me to live again and look to Him as the source to nourish and sustain my soul and body. He loved me through all these people, leading me to healing and life.

In the valley of loss and grief, His goodness tasted like food prepared with love, like shared meals and a seat at the table. I was a widow, and my table was empty, but God reserved for me a place at other tables of people who loved me and cared about me.

Through them, He was infusing me with His comfort and help, and giving me hope. The hope for healing and restoration.

We Can Draw Near to God in Our Grief

If you want to learn more about how God used my losses, grief, and other painful experiences to transform and bless me, my book,“Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings,” is for you. Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing losses and the precious blessings in each of them.

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources, encouragement, and comfort when you go through pain, grief, and despair, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

The Night Is Normal by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge

All Things New by John Eldredge

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe

This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!

Your Turn

How is God showing you His goodness in your pain and grief? Who are the people who offer you the comfort of their presence and a seat at their table? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!

I tasted the Lord's goodness with every shared meal and with every hug and word of comfort. #grief #encouragement #healing Share on X

Do you want to watch this post as a vlog? Click HERE. If you found it helpful, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Thanks!

God showed me that even though I was suffering, He was still all goodness and love towards me. #grief #hope #encouragement   Share on X

I send my newsletter “Keep the Faith” every two weeks. I share with you first the newest blog post, recommended books and articles, and the newest freebies and resources to keep the faith.