Enduring the Loss of a Loved One

To us there is nothing worse than to lose someone who you are close to. When someone dies we are grieved because we know that we will never see them again in this lifetime. We miss them because they mean so much to us. They may be our mother, father, family or friend. We may question, why did this happen to them? They may have been older or younger than us, and we wonder why God would take them at this time.

Losing someone or something you love or care deeply about is very painful. You may experience all kinds of difficult emotions and it may feel like the pain and sadness you’re experiencing will never let up. These are normal reactions to a significant loss. We might go through a grieving period where we may feel angry, become depressed, question why this happened, or even deny what happened. We will even blame ourselves and wonder what we could have done differently.  The Grieving process not only includes our emotional distress but often involves physical problems, including fatigue, nausea, lowered immunity, weight loss or weight gain, aches and pains, and insomnia. 

To us dying is something that we do not want to face. Some might think that we have all the time in the world, but everyone has an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27). God does not take your loved one to cause us sorrow, but that he wants to have him in his presence. Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

One does not need to fear death, if they have received salvation of the Lord. If we believe on the Lord Jesus and have asked him into our heart, than we will have eternal life with him. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:21). We do not have to face uncertainty of death if we are Christians, because the Bible tells us that God will receive us into his presence. Heaven is more real than this earth and it is full of those that love God.

If you are experiencing the loss of a family member or someone you loved, I pray God will help you with this time of grief.  Even though we look at everything as a place of sorrow or distress, we can recover with God’s help. He can give us the peace we need if we learn to trust in him.

Coping With Grief

• Turn to friends and family members – Now is the time to lean on the people who care about you, even if you take pride in being strong and self-sufficient. Draw loved ones close, rather than avoiding them, and accept the assistance that’s offered. Oftentimes, people want to help but don’t know how, so tell them what you need—whether it’s a shoulder to cry on or help with funeral arrangements.
• Draw comfort from your faith – If you follow a religious tradition, embrace the comfort its mourning rituals can provide. Spiritual activities that are meaningful to you—such as praying, meditating, or going to church—can offer solace.
• Take Care of Yourself- the mind and body are connected. When you feel good physically, you’ll also feel better emotionally. Combat stress and fatigue by getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising.

Thanks to HelpGuide.org for these tips for Coping with Grief.