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Norma Donovan

Freedom Through Grieving

“We are healed of grief only when we express it to the full.”

Chuck Swindoll

Holidays are painful when there is loss. This may be your first Easter since a loved one passed away. Maybe your loss involves a change in a job or in your health. My loss may not be as devastating as a loved one dying, but to me, moving to Wichita, away from those I love, rocked my boat.

All loss is significant, even disappointments. Any form of sorrow shapes us. Loss needs to be mourned, but not all grieving requires tears. But we must process our loss to get to the other side of hope. If we deny our grief and stuff it way down into our hearts, then we won’t experience the freedom God intended for us. Grieving is a gift from God which deepens our relationship with Him through the comfort He provides.

The third verse in Isaiah 53, says that Jesus was a man of sorrows, who was familiar with grief. More than anyone else, Jesus understood grief, because He experienced it. The next verse goes on to say, “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4). If we let Him, He will carry our grief.

I am grateful God gave me a whole year to say good-bye to Omaha – to the family, friends, church, the familiar city, and our comfortable house. God bottled up my numerous tears and listened to my many prayers. Grieving helped me cross the road into gratefulness.

If we don’t grieve our pain and loss, if we don’t release it and let it go, then we will never be able to fully embrace the gift God has for us next. When we hold on and look back, then we miss the present and the future ahead. Grieving helps us move forward and not remain stuck in the past.

Be real with God. Journal your raw emotions with the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 34:18, He promises to be close to the brokenhearted. Let Him take you by the hand to walk across the road of loss, to get to the other side of freedom.

“He that conceals his grief finds no remedy for it.”

Anonymous

Relevant Reflections:

  1. How have you experienced freedom through grieving?

  2. Is there a disappointment or loss that you need to grieve? Spend some time processing your grief.

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