Grief and sorrow are a natural part of life. Especially when someone you love dies. People react to grief in many different ways. There are emotional, physical and even psychiatric responses to grief. Most of these are normal and positive because grief is a process that we all have to work our way through. But if you are not careful you can get stuck and your grieving process can become unhealthy.
I have seen people who have been grieving for years, refusing to move forward with their lives because they cannot imagine doing so without their loved ones that are no longer with them. Some people lose the ability to function in the daily activities of their lives due to severe depression, anxiety, anger and regret. Some people have actually died from their reaction to grief. I believe that none of our loved ones would want us to miss out on anything that this life has to offer us because they are no longer with us.
I used to believe that I had to grieve hard, to show the world how much I loved my family members and friends. That if I didn't somehow that meant my love for them was lacking in some way. But my attitude about death and dying has changed significantly since finding God. I used to fear death and because of my own fears, doubts, uncertainties and insecurities, my grieving process was prolonged. I would almost obsess over my loss.
But now as a Christian who has God in my life, I no longer fear death. I now see it as my ultimate goal. Let me be perfectly clear I AM NOT SUICIDAL. I do not want to rush my death in any terms but I am now filled with the perfect hope that if I live my life right, that I will see my loved ones again. Not only seeing them again but in the perfection of Heaven, in my Father's presence...I can only imagine what a glorious day that will be. So my fear has been replaced with my hope and I just don't grieve like I used to.
Needless to say I miss every single one of my loved ones that are no longer here with me. Sometimes it's a little harder than other times and that's okay. When it comes to grief and missing your loved ones grieve as long as you need, that's okay too but don't let it consume you. We each have purpose for our lives and as long as we are still here, there is still purpose left in us. Living your life to it's fullest doesn't mean forgetting about those you love.
2 Corinthians 5:8 8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the LORD.
John 11:25-26 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Revelation 14:13 13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
John 14:1-4 1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
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