Losing someone you loved is difficult. No doubt about it.
Whether the loss was due to a death, a separation, a divorce or a relationship breakup, it’s often a difficult and messy process to get through the sadness and back to joy again.
Recently, a friend of mine lost her mother. Her passing was unexpected. Sudden. She is wondering how to find her way forward.
Rev. Billy Graham passed in February. His life and ministry have touched the lives of people around the globe.
Although I never met him personally, he was an excellent example of a life well lived. Surely, he will hear the words from the Lord as he greets Him in Heaven, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
How do you move forward from grief and loss?
Navigating the strange and stormy waters of grief is hard. But not impossible.
Everyone’s healing journey will be different. And God may use different methods to lead you from sorrow to joy. And that’s okay. He is God. He knows what He is doing. We simply need to trust Him.
Comfort and support
Many people find comfort and support in the warm embrace of a close friend, a listening ear, or kind words. We need our friends to help us remember what we already know, or to say nothing and simply be there with us in the midst of the pain.
Soul support also comes thought journaling (writing down) prayers or feelings.
Healing can come through rest, or a change of scenery. Being out in the beauty of nature, God’s creation, is restorative. Music can be comforting, too.
Knowing God is with you, and that He is your comforter, brings peace as the words of Matthew 5:4 affirm, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Cling to God’s promises, hold on to hope, and surrender your pain to Him in prayer. He is with you—always.
Remember, that grief unprocessed, ignored or denied, will fester and build up inside you. But processing the pain brings release and relief. Feel your feelings and then chose to move forward, one step at a time, in the power of God’s Holy Spirit working in you.
Worship and the Word
When you are feeling hopeless the most powerful thing you can do is worship. Sing songs of praise. Or listen to them.
Despair cannot journey where praise and worship reside.
You may be too grief-stricken to know what to say. But you can put on a worship music CD, or even just sit with your eyes closed and ask God to heal your heart as you rest, focusing on His amazing love and comfort.
As we give God our praises, He gives us His presence.
Focusing on His character and what He has done for you lifts you to a new place.
Like rain soaks the desert and brings forth colorful cactus blossoms, worship and prayer bring renewal to a withering heart.
Soak in God’s Word
In addition to worship, spending time reading God’s Word, the Bible, brings comfort and hope.
Discover the treasure that is in the Word of God. It is your spiritual food, nourishment every day; essential in times of need.
Open your Bible, there’s hope inside. Read it, ask God to open your eyes to the truth.
The good news is that there is life after loss. Day by day, step by step and choice by choice things start to change and light replaces the dark corners of your heart.
In March 2011, a tsunami caused by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake devastated northeastern Japan. It caused widespread destruction and extensive damage to coastal cities. The official death toll exceeded 9,000 lives. The landscape is now a sea of debris—a once thriving community is a veritable wasteland.
I once watched a TV program about that disaster and one survivor said, “There’s a different kind of strength you find after you’ve survived something terrible.”
Tragedies can undo us; they can also make us stronger.
When you are weak, God is your strong comfort. When you are exhausted, He is your strength—firm and secure. The Light of the World shines as your beacon—a lighthouse in the midst of the storm to guide you to safe harbor.
Light always overcomes the darkness.
Prayer: Lord, I come before you today. You know my heart; you see my tears. You hear my cries for help in this time of adversity. Some days I am sad, other days I am just numb. But you are with me always, and that makes all the difference. Help me through this time of grief and loss. You are stronger than anything that comes against me and I put my trust in You, the One who loves me most. I choose to leaning on you and your unchanging love and truth. Comfort my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
For more help and hope on handling grief and loss or other difficult times, see Jackie M. Johnson’s Hope on the Go and Praying With Power When Life Gets Tough.
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