Loss & Grief - SE StudentsSample

You have likely found yourself in a place of grief or loss that you never wanted to be. Grief may happen because of a number of circumstances – the death of someone you love, a parents’ divorce, the loss of a friendship, a diagnosis or illness, or simply a major change in your life. No matter what you have lost, grief is not something any of us would choose on our own. It is difficult and sad and confusing, and our emotions can spiral and look very different from the person next to us. It can leave us feeling helpless, hopeless, and hurting. We all grieve differently, but it is right and normal to process your grief in a healthy way. If we avoid it altogether, it can destroy our mental, emotional, spiritual, and even physical health. 

The first step to grieving well is simply to acknowledge that your feelings and emotions are valid. Know that those feelings are not forever. There is hope, but it is hard to see and grasp from where you are right now. Take the time to acknowledge what you feel right now. Write it down in a journal or simply tell God. (He can take it!) Read through some of the Psalms today and you’ll find that many might look just like the pages of your journal. No matter how you’re feeling, there is one constant: God is near to you. Whether you feel Him there or not, He is near to you. Memorize Psalm 34:18 and let that be a verse you repeat to yourself daily.