God Help Me, I’m GrievingSample

Grief Is Inevitable

No matter who you are, where you live, or what you have accomplished, at some point in your life, grief will become a reality for you. It is an inevitable part of living, loving, and growing.

Grief is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. Its impact is minimized. Yet grief is a normal human response after any significant loss. It comes in many different forms and is expressed in many different ways.

Scripture is replete with examples of people who experienced it:

• When Jacob thought Joseph had been killed by a wild animal, he “tore his clothes in grief, dressed in rough burlap, and mourned his son a long, long time. His sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused their comfort.” He said, “I’ll go to the grave mourning my son.” (Genesis 37:34–35)
• Years after they had been reunited, Joseph and his brothers mourned their father’s death. Together with high-ranking officials from Pharaoh’s court, they formed a huge funeral procession. After they crossed the Jordan River, “they stopped for a period of mourning, letting their grief out in loud and lengthy lament. For seven days, Joseph engaged in these funeral rites for his father.” (Genesis 50:10)
• Isaiah describes a people ravaged by war, whose homes were destroyed in night raids. “They pour into the streets wearing black, go up on the roofs, take to the town square, everyone in tears, everyone in grief.” (Isaiah 15:3–4)
• Ezekiel’s wife died. Though she was his delight, he did not cry. He kept his grief to himself, got dressed, and went about his work. His reaction was a sign to the people around him of the losses they would soon face. (Ezekiel 24:15–24)
• Zechariah prophesied that the family of David in Jerusalem would grieve (Zechariah 12:10–14). Speaking for the Lord, he said they would “recognize me as the One they so grievously wounded—that piercing spear-thrust! And they’ll weep—oh, how they’ll weep! Deep mourning as of a parent grieving the loss of the firstborn child.” The people would grieve in groups and with family. The men would grieve with men. The women with women. They would also grieve by themselves.

Grieving is a process you must move through after loss. It has many layers and effects. Having a clear understanding of your grief is key to addressing the pain, experiencing peace, and discovering healing.