Life is short--even shorter for some. My sister-in-law, Cathy, passed away on March 17th, just days after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. She was only two years older than I am.
On March 26th, as Dick and I were traveling to El Paso to be with his brother for Cathy's memorial service, I learned my best friend from high school, Margie, lost her battle with MS and cancer. She would have been 66 on April 8th.
When we suddenly lose someone we love--whether a spouse, a family member, or a friend--it can be hard to wrap our head around the fact that someone we love is gone. We will never be completely prepared for this moment, but how do we manage our grief? CBN in their article "Living Through Grief" offers three steps to recovery:
Grieve – Though grief is bitter, we must let sorrow run its natural course. Isaiah 53:3b describes Jesus as “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Denying or repressing pain can lead to emotional problems.
Believe – We need to put our faith in God’s promises, trusting that our Heavenly Father knows best and that His understanding is perfect. Isaiah 55:9 says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Receive – God desires to give us comfort, but we must reach out and accept it. Philippians 4:6-13 encourages us to pray and not worry. Through prayer and meditation on His Word, we can find a place in God’s presence where He will wrap His arms around us as a loving father would console a hurting child.
In our sorrow and brokenness, God longs not only to strengthen and reassure us, but to simply hug us close and whisper His powerful Word into our ears.
For those who have lost a spouse, my friend Virginia has written an outstanding book, drawn from her own experiences with loss and grief. Where Hope Blooms is an honest portrayal of the journey from brokenness to wholeness.
Be encouraged!
Pam
©2019 Pamela D. Williams
Comments welcome via Facebook or email (writepam71@gmail.com).
