For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. 4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,4 NLT
The struggles and hardships of life can leave us feeling overwhelmed and blindsided by very real grief and a tangible sense of loss. The mounting hurts of unexpected worldwide tragedies have caused emotional confusion, chaos, and suffering for so many people.
No matter how deep your emotional pain, God can help you find comfort, hope, and even purpose during any season of grief. As you experience anything from cultural changes to economic hardships, the impact of grief will be personal and unique for every individual. Any season of grief will demand that you will have to devote time to learning how to “work through” your losses. In your pain you may be experiencing a few of the stages of grief such as:
1) Denial - You have initial reactions to a crisis, dealing with panic and fear. It feels like a bad dream that “can’t be happening to us.”
2) Anger – You are overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety and fear about your life. We turn to anger to get control back in our lives.
3) Depression – You feel hopeless, a deepening sadness or you are completely disinterested in your life.
4) Acceptance – We begin to eventually feel a new normalcy and vision for life again. This is the season of when we begin to “work through” our grief and see hope for our future.
If you are grieving, what should you do? We have a few tips for you on “working through” your grief:
1) Turn to God’s Word for comfort and strength daily. God is our ultimate comforter and source of strength. Search for promises in the Bible you can hold onto. The book of Psalms is a great place to start looking. Use scripture to help build your sense of identity on who God says you are.
2) Find Community in it. Grief is hard but you’re not alone. Determine to find a friend to share your emotional pain. You need someone to talk to and their presence to listen and support will help.
3) Practice Good Self-Care. Stop binge-watching bad news. Make sure you sleep, eat well, exercise, drink water not coffee, and get outside and enjoy nature.
4) Become Adaptable. We can’t control the world, but we can do our part by staying optimistic and positive in Christ. The world is going to continue to change, and we will always need to be kind, gentle, and compassionate. Reflect and ask God how He is changing you.
Pause and Reflect
Father, help me to trust and worship You even in the midst of hardship. I give You my grief, pain and worries. May Your will be done as I rest in Your provision and promises today. Help me to examine my heart in areas that I need to address where I tend to drift into the distractions of life. Even during a season of suffering and grief may my heart bring Your glory today and forever. Amen.
