In recent years, writing has been given some importance in my life. When I finally realized that my desire to write words wasn’t something I was supposed to think of as a hobby, but rather as a God-given gift, I began to write more - mostly in little cracks of time. I joined a helpful writing group (Hope*Writers) where I learn more about the craft of writing and find inspiration from current writers.
This week we discussed how we need to write when it is hard to write due to overwhelming schedules, lack of support, lack of inspiration, or dealing with difficult circumstances. One such reason that we get distracted from writing is dealing with grief. Granted, some people experience grief more deeply than others.
A fellow writer shared her beginning journey of fresh grief in the unexpected loss of her father just two weeks ago. She described the agony of trying to put words on paper when the heart is numb, yet also finding writing to be therapeutic at the same time. Immediately, I was connected to her words. I felt that! I feel that! I know that! I understand that! I echo that!
Her grief of losing her father connected to my grief of losing my father three years ago this month. Another writer shared that she connected with the same grief as her father passed away unexpectedly ten years ago. From two weeks to three years to ten years, there is a connection.
Grief does not dissipate over time, it deepens within our souls.
When a loved one passes away, there is a new road we join others on no matter how different our vocations, education, skills, financial status, political views, nationality, or geography.
Grief connects human hearts regardless of all our differences.
We writers of different lives can figuratively shake our heads in sync as to say, “Yes, write in the grief.” If we wait until the grief goes away, we will never write.
“Yes, write in the grief.” Our words can help us bring our swirling thoughts into focus even if no one ever reads them.
“Yes, write in your grief.” Our words may bring comfort and strength to others on the grief road of any sort.
Grief written in words offers release to our own souls and connection to strengthen others.
Our loss of a loved one may give us courage to live out what our loved one left within us. It is proven that we remember more by writing it down.
Grief can fuel the fire of writing to remember what we never want to forget we had.
There are many changes as life goes on. Sometimes, changes are wonderfully exciting, but guaranteed are changes because of loss. We grieve the loss of those we love, the loss of life as we knew it, the loss of presence, the loss of relationships, the loss of dreams, the loss of health, the loss of income, the loss of a support system, the loss of life as we thought it would be, etc…
Grief is the pain felt when we experience loss.
As believers, our grief connects us with the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ. Our perfect Savior willingly laid down His life for us with much suffering and sorrow. Therefore, He understands our grief and cares for us.
Grief connects us with the Lord Jesus Christ as He fully experienced every grief and sorrow we bear.
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.“ - Isaiah 53:3-5 KJV
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” I Peter 5:7
As believers, we grieve, but not without hope. Our loved ones who knew the Lord are waiting for us to join them when the Lord calls us Home to Heaven. One day, there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more loss, no more suffering, no more grief. All will be well with Christ in our eternal Home!
Grief will cease for Christian saints the moment we pass from this earth to be forever with the Lord!
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
A poem that may encourage you: “Grief and Grace”
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