Grief

[Salsa_1960]

What are some ways many of you have experienced/are experienciencing grief (especially the death of a loved one) have handle it?

Did you get emotionally numb and just feel nothing? And not just the initial numbness....but for a long time afterwards? Did you avoid getting close to people? Did you find you guarded yourself against getting too close to people for fear of experiencing loss again?

Have you found that it strengthened your faith? Weakened your faith? Both (but not at the same time)?

Did you find yourself feeling angry with God at times? Confused? Colder?

Did you find it easier to talk to God? Harder?

Did you have problems with depression?
If you did, did that depression come out as:
Obsessions? Sadness? Anger? Confusion? Worry? Guilt? Lethargy? Agitation/Irritability?
Or as the opposite of depression (mania/hypomania)?

I'm referring to the death of a child, but grieving can also come about by "losing" family through divorce, (which I've also experienced recently), family tensions, and chronic illnesses such as Alzheimers Disease and cancer.

I'd love any input.

~Sandy

 

[IKTCA]

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[veggietales]

Hi Sandy~

I experienced the loss of a childhood through sexual abuse and also the loss of a child when I was 16 four years ago. I was distraught and very depressed, It has taken me three years to come out of the depression completley. At that point in my life I hated God I felt that he had abandoned me and didnt care. Even when I did start to get closer to Him again i found it incrediably difficult to hold conversation or even talk to Him. I was numb and very far away from God.

Last year I saw a christain counsellor and I have learned to cope... i will always miss my little girl but knowing she is in heaven with Jesus gives me some comfort and even although i would rather have her here with me, i know that she is in a better place and one day we will meet again.

Now I am helping others come to terms with some of the stuff i had to face and God is blessing me for it.

God never gives us more than we can handle...although sometimes it feels that way. You are in my prayers. If i can help in anyway please let me know.
I hope I have answered some of your questions. I am sorry if i havnt.

L~

 

[Salsa_1960]

Thanks.

 

[pmarquette]

the most difficult part of grief is " what if " I had done so and so , what if I had made peace with them , what If I had stayed home with them , etc. The sense of helplessness , internalized , condemnation , guilt .


What if we externalize grief , put our anger , grief , and sorrow into a big boxing glove and go out and do battle with hell , death , and grave . That sickness and infirmaty that is not from God , but the other guy ... so let use these times to do good , [ preach the gospel in and out of season , in giving we receive , in forgiving we are forgiven , in sowing we reap ]
lead a backslidden person to the Lord
comfort some one who is hurting
intercede for the lost
tell others about Jesus
be hope for those without any