By David Coy
Sunrise
As we begin a new year, we may also be struggling with new sorrows. Working through our hurt as we journey with grief is important. At the beginning of our journey we might not believe that we will endure the pain. Our culture seeks to bury this reality, and thus, we may experience unhealthy reactions because of our preconceived understanding of grief in our life is flawed. Our general need is the same for others while our specific needs remain different. We all need support. We all need to accept our new reality. We all need to express our sorrow though this will look different for each individual because we are individually unique with unique life experiences. Therefore, our grief experience will also be individual and unique. We cannot know how a person feels and should refrain from telling them that we do. We do not know what the future holds, yet we have the freedom and latitude to choose how that future will look. It would be in our best interest to begin by trusting him who is our greatest source of comfort and consolation, God (Romans 8:28).
We can learn some valuable principles in how best to mourn (1 Peter 2:21). If we are seeking to comfort another person whether friend or family, sometimes just being there is enough. We do not always need words of wisdom. They just need us to show up to be there with them. Job’s friends began well as they sat with him for seven days to sympathize and comfort and their only sound was too weep (2:11-13). Many prominent characters of antiquity walked with grief and shed tears from Jesus to Abraham. To be continued….
If you are not attending a support group please consider. This is Sunrise Aftercare.
