Pain Of Grief

As I write this post I am reflecting on a family in our church who are grieving the loss of their young daughter. This does not make sense to me. I know loss is a part of life. I know death is inevitable. But when it happens, all that head knowledge doesn't make it a whole lot easier.

Grieving is a very real part of life for survivors. I remember when my Father-In-Law passed we were all circled around his bed in his bedroom at home as we watched him receive his last breath on earth. This was a profound experience. When asked which is easier: sudden, unexpected death of a loved one, or loss after a prolonged illness, I would have to answer they both carry their own unique weight of pain.

Are you grieving today? Are you working with someone who is grieving? I don't have good answers to share. No pithy metaphor. No cute turn of a phrase. But a prayer that God is all you need at this time in your life.

Here are a few resources on grieving, in the event you are looking*:

Helpguide: Grief & Loss

Helpguide: Helping the grieving

Mayo Clinic: Grieving Process

*These are a result of an online search. Use discretion when exploring the web. Combine it with scripture, wise counsel of others, and deep prayer.

photo credit

Comments

[Michael Thorpe]

In times and in situations such as this, I am so thankful for the faith and hope we as believers are afforded in the Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father. We do grieve, but thankfully we have a divine and eternal hope that offsets so much of the weight of such grief. I recall years ago reading that the Lord who weeps at the death of the lost, rejoices at the passing of believers. In my natural mind I was a bit perplexed by this and asked the Lord for some insight or perspective to help me understand. The Lord so clearly mentioned and reminded me that when a sinner dies without Jesus as Lord and Savior, there is no further opportunity for them to receive the salvation afforded us through faith in His grace. In other words He realizes their last opportunity to live, last opportunity to choose eternity in heaven rather than hell, is forever gone. Next He compared the death or passing of His saints to the process of us are people conceiving and birthing our own children. He recalled to me how once we discovered we were expecting our first daughter, the next nine months passed so slowly as our anticipation only grew. Then He told me that He waits a lifetime rather than mere months, to be able to look His children in the eyes and face to face. If nine months is long to us, imagine waiting a lifetime...to hold your baby, to examine their features, to enjoy their recognition of you as they peer longingly back into your own eyes. Our thoughts and prayer are with you and the family that has suffered this incredible personal loss. I am thanking the Lord for helping her family to find consolation, peace, courage, and hope in the shelter of His love and that the eternal hope of the life that awaits them would eclipse the sense of grief and loss.

[Scott Couchenour]

Beautiful insights Michael. Thanks for sharing them. I trust your comment will be read by someone who really needs to hear it.