Stages
of Grief
John 14:1
“Let not your hearts be troubled.”
These favorite words of comfort from Jesus’ own lips have ministered to
believers over the years as they have faced grief. In speaking to His disciples on this occasion, Jesus knew
that He was facing immanent death on the cross.
His disciples may not have been sure what He meant by these words
of the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel.
What they did seem to know was, that Jesus was preparing them for
His departure from this earth.
We are never ready to give up our loved ones in death.
Death is always premature whether it be an infant, child, young
person, parent or even elderly grandparent.
God made us to adjust to the death of our loved ones in stages.
These stages of adjustment do not necessarily come in the same
order but normally we all experience them to varying degrees.]
Some of the steps of grief can be as follows: First is shock; second is
disbelief; third is denial; fourth is anger; fifth is blame; sixth is
loneliness; seventh is readjustment and the eighth is being able to move
on with our lives. Crying and
weeping may occur at any or all of the above stages of grief. Remember, it is all right to cry for one of the most
beautiful examples of Jesus life was that, “Jesus wept.”
Remember, it takes time to grieve. Do
not let anyone make you feel guilty for not holding up and being strong
during your grieving. Each
person responds differently in their grief process. God created you uniquely you and no one else, so be your self
in your grieving process. Keep
your focus upon Jesus and His words of comfort, “Let not your heart be
trouble, you believe in God, believe also in me for in my Father’s house
are many mansions…” John 14:1
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