What Is Involved in Healing from Grief?

Unresolved grief related to the loss of a special relationship can be a precursor to depression and other emotional issues. Significant grief is like a dark cloud hanging over your life. Technically, grief is an emotional and physical response to a specific loss.

Grief is composed of several stages including denial, depression, anger, bargaining, and finally acceptance. Deep sorrow generated by grief sometimes creates the need for emotional isolation that’s necessary for healing to occur.

Healing is dependent on taking ownership of grief, which means being available to experience each stage as it occurs.

Blaming God and others is a form of denial. Assuming ownership for grief creates a place for God to extend his strength and comfort to you. Faithfulness to God’s presence clears the way for hope and healing to occur.

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When someone becomes a Christian, he or she becomes a brand-new person inside. [This person] is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!  

~2 Corinthians 5:17 The Living Bible 

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Can Special Events Promote Reconciliation?

Special events and celebrations may be a time of grief and sorrow due to the significant loss of a loved one through divorce, separation, or the passing away of a family member. Understandably, it may be difficult if not impossible for a family to be happy and cheerful.

Healing often depends on the level of compatibility that exists between family members. When there is mutual understanding and acceptance of each person’s emotional journey, coupled with abiding love and respect, then pathways to compatibility draw a family closer together.

Special events can be a time for remembering the past that may create sadness and grief, but also generate memories of happy times. 

Hope for today comes by realizing the extent of God’s love and favor that he has demonstrated in the past. Acknowledging God’s presence brings joy and security for now and the future. Focus on this promise. 

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[O God, I will share my memories] about all your goodness and sing about your kindness. [You are] loving and merciful, slow to anger, and full of constant love.

~Psalm 145:7-8 Good News Bible

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Can Grief Be the Main Healing Agent for Every Loss?

The word grief is often associated with the death of a loved one, a divorce, or whatever is considered a personal loss. Betrayal of trust may inflict emotional wounds that seems beyond grief’s ability to heal. Trust involves the emotional fabric for bonding and holding together important relationships.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross describes the stages of grief experienced by each person who faces a significant loss. First on the list is shock and disbelief, even denying the loss has occurred. Depression and  sadness form a stage that can last indefinitely. Bargaining, blaming, and anger also play major roles. Finally, the reality of the loss can no longer be denied, so acceptance makes facing the future possible.

Getting stuck in a particular stage is unhealthy and not in keeping with God’s purpose. He intended for grief to be the means for healing. So open your heart to him and permit his grace and mercy to heal you.   

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He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He is the one who bandages their wounds.

~Psalm 147:3 God’s Word Translation

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