Jots and Tittles and other Random Things

Handling Grief - For Take Up Your Cross

prayer prompt
Pray for Christians in Nicaragua.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/fear-anxiety-follow-nicaraguan-faith-leader...

blog prompt
How should a Christian handle grief?



How does anyone handle grief? Grief isn't just about losing a loved one, or facing one's own mortality. It could be the loss of a job, or perhaps one's independence (speaking from personal experience).

There are what's called the 7 stages of grief:

1. Shock and Denial
2. Pain and Guilt
3. Anger and Bargaining
4. Depression, Reflection, Loneliness
5. The Upward Turn
6. Reconstruction and Working Through
7. Acceptance and Hope

These are the various stages, and I understand that while these are in order, the experience can be different and the stages can come back at any time. Everyone's experiences with grief are different.

The Bible also has some words on grief. They are promises that we are not alone, even if it feels like it. It isn't a "cure-all" for grief. We are human, and grieving is part of the fallen state of mankind. But we have a hope born of the eternal, to which we can cling to.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. – Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and body also, – Psalm 31:9

But we do not want you to be uninformed about believers who have died so that you will not grieve like people who have no hope. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy… Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
– John 16:20,22

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. – Revelation 21:4

“Death is swallowed up in victory”. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” – 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

This is my humble opinion, based on what I've researched, and from my own personal experience.

Sources:

https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/articles/9-bible-verses-about-grief

https://connect.rehabpro.org/washington/viewdocument/seven-stages-of-grief-hando...