Grief Bites: A New Approach to Growing Through GriefSample

When grief comes into your life, (whether it is the death of a loved one, or adultery, divorce, illness, or any other loss) it is as though someone handed you an unworked scattered puzzle. It is very important that you work out your grief in your own way, in your own time, and feel what you need to feel. You need not worry if someone else approves of how you grieve. Grief is a puzzle that must be completed by you and God together. When we throw the puzzle incompletely together for the sake of someone else for their approval, or we put on a "happy face"...we cheapen and dishonor our personal grief experience...and we shortchange God by what He plans to do through our grief experience. It also makes grief worse in the long run. Honorably work out your puzzle (grief) in your own individual unique way. As long as you are not disobeying God or harming another person or yourself, you are honorably working out your grief. Grief is not meant to be a one-size-fits-all-cookie-cutter experience. Embrace your heartache and work your grief out...learning as much as you can along the way. If you become severely stuck while working through the puzzle of grief, you may need to consider talking with a trusted pastor or Christian counselor who may see a better way to make the pieces fit. Never give up on working out your grief. Stay the course until the puzzle of grief is completed. There IS hope! God wants to give you HOPE and a good FUTURE. As you ask God to help you with your puzzle pieces in life, and seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him and His great plans He has in store for you.