Where are you?
No, I don't mean what city or state you live in. But rather what "state" of grief are you
in right now? Has it been a few days, a few weeks, a few years? If your loss has
been very recent, my heart goes out to you. If it's been a long time now, well, my
heart still goes out to you. For we never truly get completely over our loss.
So, more specifically: Have you found that place in your heart (hiding beneath all
your sorrow) where there is joy - however small? Deep down in your heart, in the
midst of all of the grief and the sorrow that you've had to endure, is there a spot
within you where you can honestly say you have found any happiness in your life?
Any peace? Can you find any joy anywhere?
Where is your joy?
At first, and throughout the early stages of your grief, it's very possible that no matter
how hard you struggle, there is NO happiness to be found. But as you weave your
way through your grief, coming to terms with the permanency of your loss and the
fact that you are now facing a new world ~ a world without that special loved one,
you must spend some time seeking that glimmer of peace that is still left in your soul.
I remember vividly a period during my own grief when my most profound question to
God was "Where is my joy?" For no matter how hard I tried, I could find no joy left in
my life. Oh, it was still there. It was simply covered with two tons of sorrow and a
hundred pounds of self pity, and I just couldn't find it. Or, at least I couldn't find it --
then.
Grief is a mask. It hides your sense of self worth, even your sense of self, your hopes
and dreams, and your joy. Until you can gain the strength to lift that heavy mask,
you'll never see the wondrous person you are inside and the joy that is still buried
deep within your soul. Spend some time each day searching from within. Although
it's elusive at times, it is still there.
Where is that strength?
Where is Superman when you need him? No matter how hard I tried to lift that heavy
mask, I felt as if I had been cryptonited (is that a word?). There was no strength left
in me. My strength had ran off with my joy, for I could find neither of them.
Thank God, I didn't have to rely on my own strength. Superman came to my rescue.
Well, in a sense, anyway. For it took a Supernatural Power. The supernatural power
of an awesome God. Through His strength alone I was able to lift that heavy mask of
grief. Through His strength alone I was able to make it through each day. And
through His strength alone I was able to get down into my soul and discover the
wondrous joy that still resides there!
For HE is my joy! And through that joy, I've found so many other joys in my life again:
my children, very special friends, my church, my work, and my special interests. I
never dreamed it possible that joy would return - but it has!
Sometimes I feel guilty that I can still feel joy, when I still feel such loss at the same
time. But I know my loved ones would want me to have that joy and to live life to it's
fullest until the time comes that God calls ME home. It's not meant that I spend every
last day of my life buried in my sorrow. Nor is it meant for you to do that either.
Do you pray? Often?
It's so important that you pray, and pray often. For God hears your every prayer and
through these prayers, not only will you find God:
You will find peace.
You will find comfort.
You will find joy.
You will find strength.
You will find direction.
You will find yourself.
Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. ~ Psalm 30:5
No, I don't mean what city or state you live in. But rather what "state" of grief are you
in right now? Has it been a few days, a few weeks, a few years? If your loss has
been very recent, my heart goes out to you. If it's been a long time now, well, my
heart still goes out to you. For we never truly get completely over our loss.
So, more specifically: Have you found that place in your heart (hiding beneath all
your sorrow) where there is joy - however small? Deep down in your heart, in the
midst of all of the grief and the sorrow that you've had to endure, is there a spot
within you where you can honestly say you have found any happiness in your life?
Any peace? Can you find any joy anywhere?
Where is your joy?
At first, and throughout the early stages of your grief, it's very possible that no matter
how hard you struggle, there is NO happiness to be found. But as you weave your
way through your grief, coming to terms with the permanency of your loss and the
fact that you are now facing a new world ~ a world without that special loved one,
you must spend some time seeking that glimmer of peace that is still left in your soul.
I remember vividly a period during my own grief when my most profound question to
God was "Where is my joy?" For no matter how hard I tried, I could find no joy left in
my life. Oh, it was still there. It was simply covered with two tons of sorrow and a
hundred pounds of self pity, and I just couldn't find it. Or, at least I couldn't find it --
then.
Grief is a mask. It hides your sense of self worth, even your sense of self, your hopes
and dreams, and your joy. Until you can gain the strength to lift that heavy mask,
you'll never see the wondrous person you are inside and the joy that is still buried
deep within your soul. Spend some time each day searching from within. Although
it's elusive at times, it is still there.
Where is that strength?
Where is Superman when you need him? No matter how hard I tried to lift that heavy
mask, I felt as if I had been cryptonited (is that a word?). There was no strength left
in me. My strength had ran off with my joy, for I could find neither of them.
Thank God, I didn't have to rely on my own strength. Superman came to my rescue.
Well, in a sense, anyway. For it took a Supernatural Power. The supernatural power
of an awesome God. Through His strength alone I was able to lift that heavy mask of
grief. Through His strength alone I was able to make it through each day. And
through His strength alone I was able to get down into my soul and discover the
wondrous joy that still resides there!
For HE is my joy! And through that joy, I've found so many other joys in my life again:
my children, very special friends, my church, my work, and my special interests. I
never dreamed it possible that joy would return - but it has!
Sometimes I feel guilty that I can still feel joy, when I still feel such loss at the same
time. But I know my loved ones would want me to have that joy and to live life to it's
fullest until the time comes that God calls ME home. It's not meant that I spend every
last day of my life buried in my sorrow. Nor is it meant for you to do that either.
Do you pray? Often?
It's so important that you pray, and pray often. For God hears your every prayer and
through these prayers, not only will you find God:
You will find peace.
You will find comfort.
You will find joy.
You will find strength.
You will find direction.
You will find yourself.
Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. ~ Psalm 30:5
| It's quiz time. Be honest ~ No one is watching. © Ferna Lary Mills |
| A Christian Grief Ministry |
Life After Loss |
Life After Loss |