Our Grief – Let’s Care For Those Who Hurt

With Veterans Day approaching, we know that many have experienced loss that is sudden! Their family and close friends have experienced grief! They were known and loved as they made a huge impact, giving their life for the freedom we experience. We can be so thankful that they cared not only for us, but for their country. Let us care for those who hurt!

Our hearts hurt when we know we may lose someone soon, that means a lot to us. Then they pass away and we go through stages of grief. At times, loss is completely unexpected such as an accident or due to a sudden health situation like a heart attack, stroke, SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy). Then there is suicide that leaves us in shock and we don’t understand at all what happened and why. This is becoming more common as more people are struggling with mental health issues.

Take this fainted heart
Take these tainted hands
Wash me in your love
Come like grace again

Even when my strength is lost
I’ll praise you
Even when I have no song
I’ll praise you
Even when it’s hard to find the words
Louder then I’ll sing your praise

I will only sing your praise

Take this mountain weight
Take these ocean tears
Hold me through the trial
Come like hope again

Lyrics from “even When It Hurts ” by Hillsong

Sometimes though, we go through grief when there is no sickness or death, but because of separation from someone we love. We miss that person. We simply don’t understand. It hurts so much. Other reasons for grief and loss are: (http://helpguide.org)

• Divorce or Relationship breakup
• Loss of health
• Losing a job
• Loss of financial stability
• A miscarriage
• Retirement
• Death of a pet
• Loss of a cherished dream
• A loved one’s serious illness
• Loss of a friendship
• Loss of safety after a trauma
• Selling the family home

The five stages of grief are denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. People grieve differently. They don’t have the same order in which they grieve. http://psychcentral.com. This loss, grief can cause difficulty for us physically also. It can be very difficult for us to sleep, eat or think as we normally are able to.

When we have hope in knowing someone we love has eternal life, we grieve, but we don’t grieve as others do. We have an assurance that we will see them again in eternity. It really hurts though when we are not sure of their standing before God.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NIV

As this Veterans Day approaches, let’s pray for peace for those who grieve for friends and family lost to those who protect us and our liberties.