Not everything is redeemable and that’s okay. But if that’s true, what are we to do with the pain we feel?
“What Should I Do with the Pain I Feel?”
Tag: grief
“Goodbye Mom”: When Death Kisses You on the Cheek
We expect life to continue as normal. Perhaps this would be a setback—maybe even a major one—but eventually, things will all be the same again. Nobody ever thinks of or plans for the icy cold grip of death slithering up beside them and kissing them on the cheek.
Not Everything Is Redeemable, and That’s Okay to Say
Why does God allow tragedies to happen? Stop looking for an explanation. Shift your focus to the hope we are given in the middle of this tragic world.
Where Is God When Life Feels Hopeless?
Why does God allow people to go through intense times of darkness and suffering? What is He doing when he seems absent and unconcerned?
Gifts Grieving People Want from You at Christmas
For people who are grieving, Christmas is not necessarily a season of joy. If we’re not careful, we can extenuate their grief by how we interact with them. Here are three gifts your grieving friends want from you this Christmas season.
Grieving Behind the Curtain
Today marks five years since Mom was killed in a car accident. I think the most difficult thing about losing someone you love is that while the world goes on, while everyone else’s life continues as they’ve always known it, yours remains shattered. Loss shatters the world. Especially, the loss of life. And a family who has lost a Mom is just as wounded five years later as they were the day she died.
Now, I know not everyone’s life continues on as normal. Others, if not most, experience their own wounding as well. And that’s just it: we get caught up in our own wounds and forget those next to us.
So, as I sit here today, remembering the day Mom cared about my heart, and as I take my family to visit her grave, my boys wondering if there will be toys at Grandma’s grave, I think of all those I have met in the last five years who have also lost loved-ones. I think of those who grew up without a Mom. At least without a Mom who cared for them. And I’d like to share some of my favorite Scripture verses in my journey of grief.
How to Grieve with People Who Have Lost a Loved-One
Have you ever felt unsure of what to do as you watched a friend grieve after losing a loved-one? Here are a few suggestions of some meaningful ways to grieve with your friends.
Still, My Soul Be Still
We are in the middle of moving from Chiang Mai to Los Angeles via New York City. We landed at JFK on June 1st, and hit the westward road June 17. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with friends and family and seeing the great landscapes of the United States.
Unfortunately, while visiting my grandparents in northern Illinois, we got word that Teresa’s cousin, Sheldon Bacher, was killed in a car accident. We had just seen him a couple days before! Sudden, tragic deaths like this jerk the heart so deeply–it’s numbing. Words can’t sympathize… this isn’t how life is supposed to be! We turned around and headed for South Carolina to grieve with the family and share in their loss. As I drove, today, a song that became meaningful to me over the time of my Mom’s death kept running through my mind, so I thought I’d share it here.
“God, you are our God! And we will trust in You and not be shaken.”
Everybody Has a Story to Tell and It’s Not the One They’re Writing
I used to think God wanted me to write a great story with my life, but I’m learning He actually wants me to be a part of His.
Nobody plans to fail. No one counts on having their dreams broken, hopes dashed, or loved ones lost. In our ideal picture of life, everything always goes well. And why not?
We expect great things in life: close friends, happy marriages, connected families, fulfilling jobs, effective ministries. God says he has great plans for us of prosperity and good fortune. Why shouldn’t we aim for greatness?
What we don’t expect is God ruining our story.
Reflections of My Time in LA
A couple of months ago my family in LA found out they had to move. So I went home to help for a few days. Only, I surprised them: What made this move unique is that it was the last place Mom lived. The last house where we enjoyed her company, ate her cooking, and […]
When Joy Is Touched with Pain
I don’t understand why God took Mom four days before my wedding. Now that our son, Kenaz, is born—she misses that as well. I don’t understand His purposes. But I do know that I can’t place my security in anything or anyone on this world. I can pursue people. I can seek to deeply connect with my family. I can pour my heart into ministering to those God leads across my path, but I can’t place my security in them. That belongs to God. He created me. He designed me. He’s where I’ll find full security and approval. And moments of pain are moments to worship Him. Those moments are reminders to not allow the joys of this earth to dictate us, for they are incredibly shallow in comparison to the joy of relationship with Christ. And one day we’ll see Jesus. He’s the glorious Person of Heaven. He’s what we live for. He’s who we die for. Heaven isn’t about living in eternal luxury; it’s all about living in eternal fellowship with Christ.
If pain keeps my eyes fixed on Him, and if joys of this earth can sometimes distract my eyes from Him, then I really can be thankful when my joy is touched with pain.
