Grief changes us. With the death of a loved one or someone close to us, we grieve. For example, I experienced heartache with my son’s death in 1993 and then again as I watched my parents slip away many years later. The experts define the five stages of grief as:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
But, as I moved through these stages, I realized these staged did not covered everything. Grief changes us.
Feeling Alone in Grief
When someone close dies, we can feel very isolated in our grief. The world around us returns to normal as we continue on the journey of sorrow. Friends and family laugh again, and they go out to eat again while we feel trapped in our sadness. I questioned if I could ever enjoy life again. Where could I go to find someone who would stand beside me in my darkest days?
But, we are not alone. The Bible reminds us that God stands besides us. Psalm 34:18; “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I felt the Lord’s closeness during my days of grief, and I did what I could to stay connected to Him. I still attended church, and I kept reading my Bible. The Lord’s companionship allowed me time to heal my heart before I returned to the world.
Grief Changes Us – It would take the three of us, my husband, myself, and God, to get us through this journey of grief. Click To Tweet
Grieving at different stages
With the death of our son, both my husband and I grieved for our loss. But over time, we found ourselves at different stages in our despair. As I slumped on the couch with tears flowing freely, my husband would bury his pain in his work. These differences caused other conflicts that I had not expected. And, I could not share my pain with the person I loved because he had his own pain to deal with in these circumstances.
Once again, I found comfort in God’s words. Matthew 5:4; “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” We would need God to be our comforter instead of each other. We joined a Christian support group for parents who lost infants. Through the group, we learned to honestly share our feelings and ups and downs with each other. It was okay to have a good day even if the other person did not. It would take the three of us, my husband, myself, and God, to get us through this journey.
Taking off the rose-colored glasses
As I emerged from the shadows of grief, I realized I was a different person. Things that used to matter to me no longer held the same importance. Before our son’s death, I thought I had control over the events of life. But, I discovered that control was an illusion. Bad things could happen again at any moment. Once my rose-colored glasses came off, I could see the true fragility of our lives. So, I had to make changes in my life.
To find my joy again, I realized my faith and my remaining family had to take the top spot of importance in my life. I refocused my energy on spending time together and creating memories. In John 16:22, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy,” I found comfort. My joy returned as I gave up the control of my life to God and trusted Him with my future and my family.
Grief Changes Us – My joy returned as I gave up the control of my life to God and trusted Him with my future and my family. Click To Tweet
Final Thoughts on How Grief Changes Us
My grief changed me. Sometimes, I wish I could still be the carefree person I was before the sorrow. But, most of the time, I appreciate the new me who puts all my hopes in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, I would have no hope. My faith teaches me that I will see my loved ones again and that God will make everything work out for my good. We see this in Romans 8:28; “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Bible Verses
Here are a few more Bible verses that encouraged me during my time of grief. I pray you can find comfort in them as well.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”
Prayer
Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship, and their lives encircled by your love.
– Vienna Cobb Anderson
Do you need prayer? I would love to pray for you. Submit your prayer request on my website at https://yvonne-morgan.com/submit-your-prayer-request-here/
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about Grief Changes us on Turning Mountains into Molehills.
