Many of us have gone through a time of grief. We have lost a loved one, a friend, and perhaps a pet, causing us to grieve intensely. Going through this process is a sad period in life. If you are now facing a loss or walking through a time of grief, you know the very real anguish of a broken heart or a crushed spirit.
There are other kinds of grief such as grieving over a divorce, a job loss, a chronic illness, or another issue. Take comfort in knowing that the Lord is close to you. Grief is a journey that each person passes through individually, but God promises to walk with you one step at a time.
During a time of great loss, “our faith, our very lives depend on God, and when we enter the darkness of grief, we need His help, or we will never climb another mountain” according to the late evangelist Billy Graham.
The intensity of our grief can vary from person to person and during different stages in life. It may involve deep sadness, emotional suffering, and perhaps an anguish that reaches deep into the heart and soul. It most always is unwelcome and painful.
Many of us experience grief that comes in cycles. No sooner have we felt intense grief and cried a river, than another wave hits. But as the waves of sorrow recede, the healing process begins. It helps to be aware of this process and to know that grief changes over time. You may even grow richer through the grieving process because it helps you to endure.
The psalmist writes, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The cycles of grief don’t always happen in the same order, and at certain points, may occur more than once, but these are all natural elements of the grieving and healing process. Remember as you go through the grieving process that the Lord is your comforter in times of need; So, Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
