By David Coy
Sunrise
There is a Chinese word which is made up of two terms that when combined together form the word for ‘crisis.’ The first term is said to mean ‘danger.’ The second is said to mean ‘change point.’ As we reflect upon the journey with grief is it not trauma that each human life laments? This human experience binds us all alike, regardless of our position in life, gender, or financial means. When we lose something or someone of high esteem it is indeed a time of crisis in our life, and a time of change. It is when we begin this journey we do well if we have in our support system first and foremost Jehovah, the God of all comfort and the Great physician (Luke 5:31; 2 Corinthians 1:3).
Built upon the foundation of Jehovah our greatest source of support is family and others. Though grief can be very painful the journey is less grievous when we have a strong support system that walks beside us. How we prevail is accepting the new reality and not shutting ourselves out of interaction with people, but living day by day with others. Learning to adjust without the previous life and build anew going forward is the next goal to achieve.
We cannot replace exactly what we lost, but we can achieve new goals and build new relationships or strengthen old ones in our new reality. This is where our grief support groups can provide an avenue of support outside of family and friends. Learning to share with others and giving others the opportunity to share with us strengthens our resolve to rebuild and renew. A threefold cord is not easily broken. There is strength in numbers and in groups. We do not need to be the same and frankly we are not, but we do share commonalities in our differences. Bear one another’s burdens and our burden becomes lighter. ~David.
