Grief is inevitable in the life of every Christian. The mourning process is slow and painful, but Christians never have to experience it alone. Relying on God can help you move through the grieving process and allow you to grow closer to Him. As Christians experiencing grief, there are a few things we can remind ourselves of in times of sorrow.
Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. These are all the stages of grief we will go through during the grieving process. The first thing Christians can do is to remind ourselves that we must allow ourselves to grieve and not bottle our emotions inside of us. Experiencing the stages of grief is not a sign of faithlessness or sin; it is simply a part of being human. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,4 reminds us that there is a time for everything and everything will happen in its time. Understanding that loss is a part of mortality can help soften the blows of the grieving process.
The second thing Christians must remind themselves of while traversing grief is to express their emotions. God understands that we will experience grief and loss over our lifetimes and even calls upon us to express our feelings instead of suppressing them. Jesus taught, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Relying on God and those around you can help you grow in your faith and overcome your trial. When Jesus prepared to raise Lazarus from the dead, he prayed to God for strength and guidance, and he wept with Lazarus’s family after his death. When you’re ready to express your feelings of sorrow, God and your family and friends will be there to comfort you as Jesus’s father and friends comforted him.
Grieving can bring us closer to God, but it can also cause us to stray from Him as well. As Christians, we must be unafraid to ask questions about our conditions. God knows we are curious by nature and has provided us with many answers to life’s most important questions in the Bible. Despite this, grief can be a confusing road to travel. It is important not to lean upon our understanding and turn to God in our time of need with our questions. For it is promised, “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Matthew 7:7
Arguably the most important thing a Christian can do when overcoming grief is to have faith. Since God loves you, He grieves with you. He wants you to be happy. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s comfort can be experienced. Jesus died for our sins, and through His sacrifice, we will one day be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven forever. The pain of grief is real, but so is the love and mercy of God.
NuWell Christian Counseling is a place for Christians to help manage their grief. Sometimes, our grief can get the better of us, and we aren’t sure where to turn next. NuWell can help Christians answer these sorts of questions with fully qualified Christian counselors that provide faithful and true counseling based on Scripture.
