Loss in Life

Grief support is important for those suffering through a loss. No one should grieve alone. Grieving loss is a part of the human experience. Everyone loses something or someone during their lifetime. Maybe it was the loss of an expected job or promotion, or the unfortunate loss of a loved one. Regardless of they type of loss, everyone experiences death and adversity. It is important to understand the nature of grief and find ways to offer support for those processing their hardship.

BREAKING DOWN GRIEF

HEALTHY GRIEVING

If you are grieving the loss of a friend or family member, you are facing many deep emotions. It may be difficult to un-tangle them all. Here are some basic suggestions on ways to face grief from a healthy outlook. Understand that each circumstance is different and each person will approach grief from a unique and personal perspective. Even with this in mind, we think you will find these suggestions helpful.

  • Acknowledge and understand your own grief.
  • Allow your grief to be recognized by others.
  • Feel free to grieve in your own unique way.
  • Tell your story to others (the honest account of your loss).
  • Learn life’s lessons through your loss (becoming more humane, compassionate).
  • Commit to the journey, long or short, that leads back to the point where you can live with optimism and hope.
  • Share the comfort you have received with others in need.
  • Trust God and cling to Him.
  • Bring all your questions and feelings honestly to Him.

Grief recovery is not simply feeling better. It is the ability to find joy in life again. It is to treasure the memory of loved ones, to miss them, and to live better because of the time in your life that you spent with them.

Grief is not an enemy or a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being human. It is the cost of loving someone. It is inevitable that during such a loss we would be deeply impacted, shocked, or wounded by it. Grief is the manner or process in which we work through this loss.

There is a goal in the grieving process. The emotions are seeking to reorganize themselves to cope with the loss and to reestablish healthy relationships.
(Reprinted from “GriefShare; Your Journey from Mourning to Joy”)

LOOK TO GOD

GRIEF AND GOD

Suffering through loss can be a difficult time for some people’s faith. Individuals may be mad at God for allowing tragedy, sickness, or misfortune. But, God can also become a helpful source of grief support during the recovery process.

The Bible says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18). The scripture also says, “So do not fear, for I am with you” (Is. 41:10). God is near those dealing with disappointment and death. He may not feel particularly close, but those struggling through suffering should know that He is.

God understands suffering and loss because he suffered. Jesus experienced loss, disappointment, loneliness, frustration, and sadness. As he hung on the cross he exclaimed, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Even Jesus felt abandoned by his heavenly father. The truth is God had a plan and never abandoned Jesus, but it is important to understand that God himself can offer grief support as we journey through loss.

Redeeming Loss

God is the the business of taking the worst the world can throw at us and making it into something meaningful and beautiful. Unfortunately we do live in a broken and fallen world. Jesus even promised that we would have trouble in this world (Jn. 16:33). This means we will all experience death, doubt, and disappointment.

But, Jesus followed the fact that we are guaranteed challenges in this life by saying, “But take heart! I have overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). As the one who has overcome every challenge of the world lives in us, we also have the ability to make it through everything thrown at us. 1 John 4:4 says, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Not only can we make it through, but one day we will have the ability to comfort those who suffer loss. The apostle Paul praises the God of all comfort, “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Cor. 1:4). If you are struggling through a loss, know that you’re not alone. The God of all comfort is with you and there are friends and family who love you. The journey towards recovery is a process, but you never have to walk alone.

What I am Discovering about Grief

One person’s journey through grieving.

I am discovering that grief is a journey filled with many opportunities for learning. I am learning what grief is and how it affects not only me but others as well. I am realizing there are choices to be made as I learn to adjust to my “new normal” of living life without my loved one. I am also discovering that the emotions of grief are a part of our earthly journey through a sin-cursed world. As I walk this journey, am I choosing to grow from what I learn to one day be able to come alongside others with the comfort God has taught me (2 Cor. 1:3–4)?

Am I Learning by Choosing to…?

  • Allow God to care for me (Ps. 23:4; 55:22)
  • Read God’s Word daily (Rom. 15:4)
  • Remember my identity lies in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1 & 2)
  • Allow others to come alongside me
  • Quickly exercise forgiveness (Matt. 6:14–15)
  • Pay attention to my physical needs (1 Cor. 3:16)
    Eating balanced meals
    Sleeping
    Exercising regularly
  • Not avoid the work of grief
    Journaling
    Talking about my loved one
    Crying out to God and allowing my tears to flow

Am I Learning to Accept that…?

  • Death is a part of life (Eccles. 8:8; Heb. 9:27)
  • Grief hurts yet has purpose (Rom. 5:3–4)
  • Death results in changes and new experiences that will need to be worked through in order to grow spiritually (Heb. 13:21)

Am I Learning to Understand that…?

  • People grieve in a variety of ways
  • Grief isn’t about what I lost but what God has redeemed (Col. 1:10)
  • Grief has a purpose (Rom. 5:4–5)

(Reprinted from “GriefShare; Your Journey from Mourning to Joy”)