Finding Grace in G.R.I.E.F.
Gratitude Resilience Inspiration Emotions Faith
Beyond Breast Cancer, Domestic Violence and Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month anyone can feel grief. With consideration of how medical and life matters impact day to day routines, grief can positively or negatively affect an individual’s life. Grief can change or redefine life for a person. Grief is not limited to death alone. Lost or unexpected events in any form can breed grief. A type of grief that shifts how one pursues life to the point of being more intentional about your time, relationships and living out your purpose. Grief can produce its own unique type of characteristics in what many may define to be reflections of a fighter, warrior, survivor as well as an overcomer.
Emotions may twist and turn with feelings creating a flight or fight motion while wrestling to lean into faith over fear. The presence of either is natural and normal. The extremes of grief can exude from a medical diagnosis, the pain of being battered, the passing of a loved one, and releasing life beyond your own. Grief can yield the most complex emotions which take one’s heart on a journey that only heals in its own way. Grief is perplexed. But one does not have to face or brave grief alone.
During the most chaotic season it could feel the soul is propelled to find peace amidst an unbearable storm. Grief seems to silently immobilize every fiber of our human being. In shock, emotions may feel like a rollercoaster. No rhyme or reason, the smallest memory moment could be joyful and sorrowful all at the same time. Finding a healthy balance to have harmony with healthy emotional, psychological and spiritual perspectives can be supportive. Grief can show up without warning. Even through life-defining situations God can let us discover that GRIEF is not limited nor defines our faith. GRIEF can be the acknowledgement of love in the midst of life and lost.
Transparent Moment: I’ve grieved over my health, life, transition of loved ones, and dear friends. I’ve grieved over the unexpected challenges that I did not know would force me to accept a “new normal”. I’ve grieved over the hurt and disappointment of no longer being a people pleaser. I’ve grieved over knowing everyone won’t be able to go with me in certain seasons of life. Dynamics in all areas of life and relationships do change. I’ve grieved for those who may not accept the change and new life chapters. I’ve grieved for how the experiences have moved me from familiarity while embracing what is necessary for me to sustain. I’ve grieved for what people may not understand. I’ve grieved through the transitions of life situations as layers of truth required me to “drop my rope”, navigate boundaries and “press forward” for livelihood and health.
No matter how visible or invisible the life, lost or change maybe, there can be serenity in GRIEF. Even in light of grieving loved ones the adjustments of life relationships. . .estrangements. . . opportunities. . .health. . .delayed dreams. . .released hopes. Grief may arouse from the loss of anything that held value to you or a special place in your heart. We can grieve over the disappointment of unexpected life shifts. Grief is unique. Grief can be unconventional. Grief will be different for each individual. Grief is personal. Grief is an emotion. Grief is a reaction to life, loss and changes. Grief is a journey with no expiration.
Consider those you personally know whose life have felt the tremendous weight of GRIEF in every area of their life. GRIEF could lead you into new beginnings and redefining what holds value in your life. With faith, beyond feeling defeated God has a keen way of extending redemptive love. A type of love that extends strength and comfort to keep pressing forward beyond grieving feelings. Grieving over the loss of who or whatever created tender moments which are now memories is a life-living process.
The non-negotiable life shifts are often hard to navigate. Without question, the emotional impact of GRIEF may often feel unbearable. Yet beyond the unexplainable feelings, GRIEF can create a space where disappointment and hurt are pursued in a way to make the most of the future. . . even the moments that may be easily misjudged from the outside. With faith, beyond feeling defeated God can keenly extend a measure of redemptive love and give strength as we adjust to a “new normal”, “new beginning”, and “new life chapters” beyond grieving feelings. Gracefully grieving over the loss of who or whatever created tender moments can be comforting to the soul. GRIEF may not change or bring back what feels “lost”, but it doesn’t have to limit you from living while cherishing the memories of “what was”. GRIEF is not confining. GRIEF can be mysterious. GRIEF does not have to leave us without hope.
Praying you find grace in whatever way lost, change and life have impacted you in a personal way.
Praying you are strengthened with healthy support that leans into Gratitude Resilience Inspiration Emotions Faith as a journey of knowing it’s okay, to not be okay. We are human beings with emotions, whose heart and souls were not designed to bear such feelings alone.
May strength, serenity and support be treasures of comfort to your soul.
May you give yourself grace and the space to grieve amidst GRIEF.
~Corri Rose~