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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What Purpose Does Grief Serve in Our Lives?

Grief is impossible to avoid because so many variables of life are beyond our control, like other people’s behavior and choices. Loved ones pass away, divorce causes us much sorrow, our health declines, accidents result in permanent injuries, our children may never measure up to their potential.

Grief created by an important loss can become complicated when the grieving person becomes fixated or stuck in anger or depression. It’s understandable how a person could permit these crucial emotions to linger on indefinitely when so much of life changes by experiencing a significant loss.

Each stage of grief is designed to help us navigate a particular timeframe in recovery and healing. Thus God permits us to face that reality in stages so healing eventually can take place. God’s word is explicit. “Get rid of all bitterness and anger,” so you can experience his peace. God will help you do it.                          

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Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 4:7 God’s Word Translation

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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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