Having experienced the death of three of the most important people in my life – my dad, mom and younger sister, I know what it is to grieve. I know what it is to no longer have these people around. The most recent was my momon January 1st 2011. After a long bout with cancer, she succumb to the ravages of that dreadful disease. That happened to my younger sister as well in 2007. So I have had my share and will have more in the future. This is life. Below I list two things you can do when grieving. You may have other ideas, which I would love to hear. Place your comment in the box below.
Grieving is not only over dying. It can be experienced over any kind of loss. The meaning of the relationship that existed determines the depth of the loss. Grieving can be experienced prior to the loss or thereafter. The pain is real no matter when it occurs.
I grieved my mom and sister’s death prior to their deaths. We saw it coming even though we hoped it would not. Once death occurred, my grieving became less.
Prolonged grieving is unhealthy. It can lead to all manner of emotional, mental, physical and even spiritual dysfunction. It can be so exhausting that it makes us more prone to poor decision making, more susceptible and vulnerable to the tricks of the devil.
This is what Jesus warned the disciples who had become so exhausted by their grieving over what was to come, that they fell asleep.
At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, EXHAUSTED from GRIEF. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.” (Luke 22:45,46 NLT)
Exhaustion can be experienced from mere grief. Have you ever grieved so much that you were totally exhausted? I have seen this happen so many times. Some people literally pass out because of a depletion of strength. That is grief.
I do believe that grieving is a necessary part of life and should be expressed. When we choose to deny grief, it will explode or leak in due season. When this happens it can become very overwhelming.
With that in mind, here are two ways to put grief behind you:
1. Put the loss in perspective
2. Let the loss serve you rather than you serve it – find in it the good and use it to propel you in the future
What’s your thoughts on this. I would love to hear what has worked for you or for others you know. Comment in the box below.
May 11, 2013 at 12:35 am
Being happy is a decision. It’s an exercise, if you try not be focused on the problem or loss it will go away easier and less painfull.
May 11, 2013 at 11:34 am
So true Mariana. It is a decision we make to choose what we focus on. Thanks for that added input.