The Grief Journey

When disaster hits and trauma overwhelms us we wish the resulting pain and grief would end quickly. How I wish it would be true for you! 

However, everyone will tell you the same thing. It takes time. Don’t be depressed when you read this. If I would say, “It will never end”, you would have reason to despair. But the simple statement “It takes time,” is really a statement of hope. It means healing is possible. Grief and pain will diminish. Accepting that is a big step forward toward ultimate healing.  
The book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 says: 
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

The words ‘time’ and ‘season’ in these verses represent extended periods of time. Time is a gift that makes it possible for healing to take place. When we take time to grieve our losses we will recover from them.

Grief is a journey. You will find it helpful to think of grief in this way.