As I have gotten older, I have come to realize that so many people do not deal with emotional pain appropriately. Like others, I learned how to hide behind my pain with masks of every sort, including becoming a workalcolic, "super minister", "super sister" and on and on.....disguising the real hurt I was dealing with in my life. Then there came a time, after experiencing so much loss consecutively, I decided to embark on a personal journey of recovery with the assistance of Christian Counselor. I discovered that grief can be a silent killer, ebbing away at the fabric of your emotional and psychological well-being. Compound grief is even more debilitating. Before you are healed from one traumatic event, you find yourself in multiple stages of grief (http://www.recover-from-grief.com/stages-of-grief.html). I am not a grief counselor. I am a grief recovery participant. Regardless of the stages of grief, you know for yourself that without dealing with the grief in an appropriate manner, you will sometimes "leak" pain on other persons. Or you may find yourself stuck in an emotional state and not realize that it is unresolved grief, loss that has been shuffled under the carpet and not addressed.
That's why grief recovery is important. I believe God through the Holy Spirit who is the Comforter, wants to heal you (us) through the journey of loss, whatever that loss may be. It is important to validate your grief so that God can heal the pain you may be experiencing. It is okay to cry, to laugh, to remember, to mourn. Jesus promised that "those who mourn will be comforted".
Whether you decide to use a counselor-patient approach or support group is up to you. God's Word is the ultimate "book" for persons going through grief recovery. My favorite books are the Psalms. This encouragement's emphasis is to remind you that you are okay, the grief is real and you must sometimes face the grief head-on in order to move through recovery. This does not remove the loss, but in time, God will bring some significance, learning, comfort, understanding, to your heart about it.
An interesting article appeared in Psychology Today that is worth reading - I agree with the tenet of the article that outside of regular "stages"...grief is very personal and individual. Read on: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-journey-ahead/200804/stages-grief-time-new-model
Stages of Grief by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
denial
anger
bargaining
depression
acceptance
People have also added other stages (and words) like: shock, pain and guilt, the upward turn, reconstruction and working through (see recover from grief site).
God will turn the bitter experiences of our lives to pleasant testimonies of His comfort
A Scripture Verse
Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted", Matthew 5:5, King James Version (Cambridge Edition)
About Our Ministry
Naomi’s Ministry is Christian blog designed to provide encouragement, strength and prayer to individuals who are experiencing loss, grief and recovering from traumatic experiences.
This blog site is to encourage, pray and support persons experiencing a wide range of losses that anyone of us may experience in our lifetime. The parting of a special loved one by death; divorce; the loss of job and financial security; the loss of limb(s) or debilitating illness or disease; the loss of a home or opportunity, are all "losses" and at varying degrees, may catapult you into a grieving cycle or traumatic event. However, we may not be on the road to recovery, if the right resources are not available to give us perspective on our feelings and the changes that happens in one’s life when a loss of any kind occurs. We need courage to grieve and to wait before God for the healing that comes, sometimes, one day at a time.
This is "first" a ministry of encouragement:
Know that what you are going through is normal for anyone who has experienced what you have experienced. Knowing how to go through the process, recognizing when you are grieving and seeking the help you may need will aid in the recovery process.
Know that it is okay that you are hurting. No explanations are needed. Admitting that is a first step toward your recovery. Recovery does not mean that you will forget the one or object of your loss. This also does not mean you will not forget the trauma of your victimization. Emotional healing will allow you to live authentically, freely, victoriously in spite of the event. God wants you to have His Victory through His Son, Jesus Christ who won it on the Cross of Calvary for you and I.
Know that you are not alone. Jesus Christ promised never to leave us or forsake us (The book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 5). This promise found in the Holy Scriptures is a promise from the Lord Himself that He is always with us, even during our darkest nights. Jesus also said, “I will not leave you comfortless” (The book of the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 18).
Know that “The Comforter will come” (The book of the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verse 7). The Comforter that Jesus Christ is referencing is God the Holy Spirit, (part of the triune Godhead). As you call out to God in faith during this time of tremendous emotional and sometimes physical pain, the Lord will send His Spirit to minister to your mind, body, soul and spirit. He alone can heal the hurts of loss, grief and trauma. The Holy Spirit will wipe away "your tears". Jesus "is willing" to heal you if you but ask and trust Him in the process of recovery.
Know one day you will be able to smile again. The sun will shine in your heart again. You will laugh again. You will have more good days to come. The Lord knows the thoughts and plans he has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), even if you cannot see it in the midst of this defining moment. If you will trust the Lord’s plans for you, you will come through this season, whole and able to continue on in your life’s journey.
Search out a safe and Word-filled church home or fellowship, counselor/support group. God’s Word is the answer. Read Psalms 34, 41, 42, 91, 103, 107, 112, 119, 121, 123, 140, 145. Depending on our needs, we may also need some assistance beyond what a blog, book or cards offer. Professional help is available. Pray and ask the Lord to direct you to a place of healing and confidentiality. Check out the resources at your church or another Christ-centered congregation. Please do not grieve alone.
The time for recovery is NOW. Just like you would go to the hospital’s emergency room if you were physically in need of medical treatment, so during high levels of emotional crisis, you should not wait to seek help or assistance. DON’T WAIT TO GET HELP. This is the time to admit that you are hurting and it is okay.
Keep talking to God the Father, the Father of ALL Comfort. He knows your grief and the journey ahead. Also believe that He loves you even when you are sad. This ministry is reaching out to you with Jesus' love. We are praying for your total healing and recovery.
If you are interested in receiving prayer, please write me at: jesusislord14@outlook.com. Please do not request money - request prayer.
God loves you. We are praying you will feel His love and comfort every time you reach out to read the messages.
Jesus THE SON OF GOD is Lord!
Shalom.
Sister Birdsong
No comments:
Post a Comment