Everyone processes grief in different ways. The tips in the post are things that I learned while doing my best to allow the Holy Spirit to walk me through a difficult time. Every day, every moment can bring its own ups and downs. God wants to be our Anchor and promises that there is never a storm that will destroy us. I pray this post will help you or someone you know.
It’s ok to be Crushed
Ecclesiastes 3:4 NIV
Grief can hit us like a sack of bricks. The weight can be crushing and the pain disorienting. If you only have one brick in your sack, its the most you have ever had, than that sack is heavy for you. Maybe you know someone who has gone through situations that seem far worse than yours. It can seem tempting to minimize what you are experiencing and how you were affected by it. Are you are in a position where you need to stay strong for the people around you? It’s important to find time and space to be open about what you are feeling and what you are going through. God can handle our hurts, anger, and disappointment, even if those feelings are directed towards him. Taking those feelings to him open and honestly gives him permission to come alongside us and began walking with us to bring us through that time. Like the song below says. It’s ok if you’re not ok.
I have heard people ask “if this God you love lets bad things happen to good people than why do we need him”. I always tell them this, “ God doesn’t promise that we will not go through bad times if we choose him. He doses promise that we will never go through it alone”
I can honestly say I was afraid of grief before this year. Having never experienced it first hand. I have watched people close to me go through the ups and downs of loss. I would think to my self, I am not strong enough to handle that. The truth is I was right, I could never process that type of pain on my own but God is made perfect I my weakness.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 NIV
I always knew that God loved me but in my brokeness I had the opportunity to see what its like to have him pick up all the pieces and stitch each of them back together piece by piece. Needles to say I am not afraid of grief anymore. I know that when I come to a low and dark place but God will never leave me there in my grief. He will never leave you in yours.
Worship
One way he brings us through is in worship. I honestly believe that God has a special place in his presence for those who choose to worship in spite of and because of their pain. That is the place where I truly did most of my healing and from that place, I received strength and peace. It does not have to be a 5 song worship set. In fact, at times you may be more like Hannah who cried so hard she could not speak and had to mouth the words of her prayer. Maybe your like the woman who had no words but simply washed Jesus’s feet with her tears. As long as you come to him with an open heart he will meet you in that place.
Moving Forward
God will bring you through this time with complete healing. That doesn’t mean the pain always goes away completely. I believe that happens when we get to heaven. When dealing with grief there are times when you feel strong and sure, that is how you know that God is strengthening you bit by bit. When the pain comes sweeping and sudden remember to breath and take it to God, the source of our strength.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?”
Psalms 121:1 NIV
Journey To A Virtuous Woman 