Grief is described as “keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; or painful regret.” It can be caused by many things, such as death, divorce, loss of a friend, loss of money…the list goes on and on. Whatever the reason for your grief, it’s never easy.

One of the most difficult things in life is losing a loved one. If you have recently faced the death or loss of someone you love – or perhaps you or someone you know is in distress – understanding the stages of grief can help.

Grief involves:

• Numbness – an inability to feel when the news of death arrives.
• Denial – a sense of disbelief that the person is really gone.
• Tearful Emotion – The reality of permanent separation sets in.
• Anger – a hurt at God or at life as the world continues and you are hurting so badly.
• Depression – a feeling there is little reason to live. Life may seem meaningless when the loss of a loved one has occurred.
• Acceptance – coming to terms with the loss and beginning to move on.

The grieving process takes time, sometimes months and sometimes years, but it can be overcome. The greatest strength for getting through it can be found in the Lord. He loves you and wants to help you overcome your grief, because He understands what grief is. He grieves every day for His children who are lost and in pain. And He also knows what it’s like to have a child die. He saw His own Son, Jesus, die for us all.

Talk to God. Tell Him you need His help and I promise, He’ll be there for you every time.