This really isn’t a very fun topic to talk about but it is such a part of life it must be addressed. I have a few more things to share on the topic. First that comes to mind, is guilt complicates grief. If you lost a job or a relationship that was due to your failures, the grief is layered by the guilt and is more difficult to untangle. If you lost a loved one and you had unfinished business, or felt you failed them in some way, again the guilt makes the grieving worse.

Grieving isn’t a non-stop process. Especially after the first wave, or the first several months there will be times you almost feel normal. Then, out of no where waves of sadness can crash upon you and you enter another season of awareness of the intense loss you’ve experienced and how different your new reality is.

I also believe sometimes during the grieving time most will not just face the pain and pray. That is the best remedy, talk, pray, weep mingled with life’s ongoing responsibilities. But I believe it is normal for times of just running from the pain. Sometimes a person can run to wholesome escapes like working out, shopping, traveling but for others the pain may lead them to medicate in not so good ways.

A person who has true faith in Jesus Christ and eternal life through Him has the added benefit of the hope of a much better future when the Lord will dry all tears from our eyes and the former things will pass away. If the loss was a loved one, the promise of a reunion one day brings hope so we don’t grieve like those with no hope, but we still grieve!

There simply is no easy way around loss. It is a tough pill to swallow. Your faith, a close friend or two, your willingness to face the pain, to reengage with life and time will be the best prescription.

blessings,

Scott