THE PAIN OF GRIEF

When we are grieving a loss, like death, divorce, business failure, relationship failure, money loss, spiritual derailment, whatever… it is easy to believe that things will never be normal again. In one respect they will never be the same, or normal to that moment, again. Loss causes change.

Francois Fenelon (1651-1715) the brilliant French priest, theologian, writer and poet, once wrote, “We must have faith during the period of our grief. We think that our afflictions will be greater than we can bear, but we do not know the strength of our own hearts, nor the power of God. God knows all. … What we think will overwhelm us entirely only subdues and conquers our pride. Our renewed spirit rises from its subjugation with a celestial strength and consolation.”

It is normal to feel overwhelmed during grief and perhaps the strength comes later but during the actual experience it takes our everything just to stay hanging on. It can take a while before we can hang on to faith…but eventually it does become our strength.

“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Jesus