Good Grief: Living and Learning Through Loss a 7-Day Plan by Maya J.T. DawsonSample

Day 1: Introduction

Psychiatrist Dr. Colin Murray says, “Grief is the price we pay for love.” I must say that I agree. Because of grief, I’ve resolved at times never to open my heart again. Because of grief, I’ve built up walls and distanced myself from others. Because of grief, I’ve refused to grow.

I thank God that there is a better way. I thank God that in His infinite wisdom, the very thing I despise can be used to draw me closer to Him and transform me into the likeness of His Son. I thank God that because of Him, my grief can be used for my good.

Matthew 5:4 (ESV) gives us a promise that “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” I had read this verse many times but would often discount the condition found in the statement. In order for God to comfort us, we must mourn. We must take the time to allow ourselves to grieve.

I’ll be the first to admit that grieving doesn’t feel good. However, it can be good. It can be used for my good. It can be used to bring glory to God. I’ve found that when I make the conscious decision to lean into my grief, God is right there waiting to catch me. Oftentimes, I’m working to circumvent this process through avoidance, denial, and self-medication. This only delays the inevitable. We must go through grief to get to healing and wholeness. Grief is the place where God meets us.

Over the next several days, I invite you to unpack not only the stages of grief but also the lessons they carry. Together, we’ll spend time in God’s word while discovering tools and exercises to not only survive loss but thrive in the midst of it. Let’s get started.

“For everything there is a season,

And a time for every matter under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted;

A time to kill, a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (ESV)

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4 (ESV)