Grieving is indeed like having broken ribs – the pain may not be visible to others, but it’s there with every breath you take. It’s crucial to acknowledge that grief is a complex and personal journey, and it’s okay to experience the pain and emotions that come with it. However, it’s also important to remember that healing is possible, and you’re not alone in this process.

Just as broken ribs take time to heal, so does the heart when it’s grieving. It’s essential to give yourself permission to grieve and to feel the pain. Sometimes, people may not understand the depth of your emotions because they can’t see the brokenness within. But don’t be discouraged by this. Seek comfort in the understanding that your pain is valid, and it’s okay to take the time you need to heal.

Understanding Grief: How to Cope with Loss

Remember, healing doesn’t mean forgetting or moving on completely. It means finding ways to carry the pain and memories while also making room for hope and growth. Surround yourself with a support system that understands and empathizes with your journey. Engage in activities that bring you solace and allow yourself to express your emotions in healthy ways. Just as broken ribs eventually mend, you too will find strength and resilience as you navigate the process of grieving.

So, be gentle with yourself, and know that it’s alright to feel the pain and vulnerability that comes with grief. It’s through these difficult times that you often find your inner strength and discover new depths of compassion and resilience. Trust that, with time and intentional self-care, the pain will gradually ease, and you will find a renewed sense of wholeness and healing.

The Power of Gratitude in Healing Sadness and Grief

Sadness, though uncomfortable, is a vital part of your emotional journey. Instead of suppressing it, it’s important to allow yourself to feel it, acknowledge it, and understand its presence in your life.

But here’s the thing: you don’t want to get stuck in sadness either. That’s where gratitude steps in as an incredible tool. Gratitude helps you shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. It doesn’t mean you ignore or dismiss your sadness, but it reminds you that there are still things to appreciate, even amidst the pain. You can be grateful for being able to take a shower, eat a meal, or take a short walk.

Practicing gratitude doesn’t mean you’re invalidating your emotions or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about finding small blessings and moments of joy that can coexist with your sadness. It gives you a gentle nudge to remember the goodness that surrounds you, offering a glimmer of hope in tough times.

So, let yourself feel your sadness, allow it to flow through you. And when you’re ready, embrace gratitude as a way to balance the scales. Healing is a journey, and by acknowledging our emotions and finding gratitude, you create space for growth, strength, and ultimately, a brighter future.

10 Helpful Tips for Dealing with Grief

Put your hand over your heart and breathe. Nice and slow. Stay present in the here and now to settle your mind and body down.

You can’t control what happens in the world but you can:

1. Acknowledge and honor your pain by writing in a journal or talking about your loss with someone who understands, listens and doesn’t try to minimize your grief.
2. Be kind to yourself. Suggestions include: take a short walk daily; acknowledge three things you are doing daily in the midst of your grief; engage in pleasant activities such as a massage, eat your favorite meal, play golf, etc.
3. Distract yourself from constant focus on your pain by watching a favorite movie or TV show.
4. Be grateful for every blessing that comes your way today.
5. Refuse to live in fear. Hold on to the hope of Jesus.
6. Pray and surrender every concern to God. His Hands are big enough for every single concern and worry you have.
7. Remember that, as Jesus followers, this world is not our ultimate home. Our hope rests in eternal life in Heaven that awaits us..
8. Remember that the enemy (Satan) has come to kill, steal and destroy our peace, our families, our joy, our health, and our destiny BUT Jesus laid down His life for us to experience ABUNDANT life, on earth as it is in heaven. (John 10:10) He still has a plan and a purpose for you here.
9. Choose to praise God and “rejoice always” even through the storms in life, for the “joy of the Lord is our strength.” He is faithful to help you take one baby step at a time.
10. Join a grief support group such as GriefShare or contact Dr. Richelle for support in moving through the grief process.

Through taking the above steps in the healing power of the Holy Spirit, your hope, love and faith will light the darkness and ultimately, your joy will be restored.

Moving Forward

If you or someone you know has been struggling with moving forward after suffering through any kind of grief or loss, please contact me for a complimentary conversation. As a Certified Grief Educator and Joy Restoration coach, I help people heal and transform life-altering loss into personal growth while learning to embrace life again.