What’s Left Behind – Dealing with Grief

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

God never intended for death to be a part of our journey. The pain and sorrow experienced when dealing with grief speaks to how misplaced loss is in this world – and yet here we are. Choices brought us to this very moment – teaching us that what is done, cannot so easily be undone. Death reaches into our souls, highlighting the frailness of our ecosystems as we’re left to wonder how much sorrow we can handle.

Change & Loss

We feel as thought our world has been changed – because it has. Yet, the rest of the world moves at its same pace – because it always will. One of the greatest challenges with this movement, is that loss is two-sided. Not only are we asked to deal with what is gone, but to make peace with what has been left behind – ourselves and our situations. Loss is unique. Yes we all know loss but we experience it differently because we are different. Though the impact can be similar from person to person, we feel as though our experience can never be replicated. But most importantly, loss is personal. It highlights who we are, and when we stare back at what we see, we may find that our tears are not solely from dealing with the grief.

When death becomes a part of our reality, it has a way of triggering the deepest parts of our humanity. Sometimes we rediscover the areas we prefer to keep hidden and the imperfections we care to overlook. Other times we find resilient strength that allows us to keep pushing forward – because we have choices. We can choose to face the emotional impact that dares to wreak havoc with ourselves and/or those around us, or we can choose to lose sight of our faith.

Instead, God asks us to answer for our own well-being while doing our best to support those around us. When dealing with grief, we cannot compromise our spiritual health.  If we do, the flames of anger, resentment and pain begin to ignite making it harder and harder to hear the voice of God. Guilt, selfishness, self-loathing, and/or self-indulgent behavior begin to take residence in our minds. Temporary comfort never brings about lasting peace.

Walking with God

In times of frustration and separation, God beckons us to rise to the occasion – to hear His voice as He leads us to a place of peace – filled with love, self-control, and discernment. If we have the courage to walk with God in our most difficult of moments, we will build unbreakable faith and resilience. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. We can find peace in the hope that we will see our loved ones again when Christ returns. We also find peace in the hope that we can face our today’s and tomorrow’s because God is present. He is here with us and He has sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us.

Dealing with Grief

God wants us to cherish our temples, which are our souls. If you need therapy – go. If you need some quiet time – take it. If you need to unload your emotions – pray. If relationships become fragile – pray some more. Losing someone does not have the power to bring people together in times of sorrow – only God does. In God’s absence – chaos will ensue. So no, there is no exact science to overcoming grief, but that doesn’t make it any less possible. Close your eyes and seek God with all of your heart. Trust Him, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)