The Israelites inquired when they were being held captive, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” In other words, walking with grief is like being held captive in a strange land with people around you expecting you to be happy. Sometimes, we can make preparations for sorrow, and sometimes, we cannot. Either way we can learn to express in our own way emotions properly. H.W. Beecher said, “Our feelings must have expression, or they will be as clouds, which till they descend in rain, will never bring up fruit or flower.” The strongest person who ever walked the earth had assistance from angels (Luke 22:42-43). It should not surprise us that we struggle with sorrow. It is perfectly understandable and acceptable to ask for support. Mark Twain wisely said, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” None of us are islands to ourselves. Thus, we arrived where we are today with the help and support from others just as they did and we will arrive at tomorrow, if tomorrow comes, with the support of others. A threefold cord is not easily broken.
As I have suggested previously, while it may not always be easier, it is always better to take life one breathe, one step and one day at a time. After we accept that we do not need to walk our journey with grief alone and that it is healthy and permissible to ask others for support, it is important to take care of only today’s needs. Tomorrow will take care of itself, and if tomorrow becomes today, then we take care of needs for the day again. Yes, face reality head on where possible. Where necessary, delegate tasks to others. One of the most common questions ever asked, “Why has all this befallen us?” The answer is why not us and a threefold cord…
This is Sunrise Aftercare, sunrise@sfdcares.com
