Grief 101

Did you know that Bereavement, Grief, or Mourning, can grab you, hook you with a strong line and become a heavy sinker. Bereavement is the state of having lost a significant other to death. Grief is the personal response to the loss. Mourning is the public expression of that loss.

They can be like a snare: 

A snare according to dictionary.com is defined as :

snare/noun

plural noun: snares

  1. a trap for catching birds or animals, typically one having a noose of wire or cord.
  2. synonyms: trap, gin, net, noose“the hare was caught in a snare”
    a length of wire, gut, or hide stretched across a drumhead to produce a rattling sound.

verb

3rd person present: snares

  1. catch (a bird or mammal) in a snare.
  2. synonyms: trap, catch, net, bag, ensnare, entrap“game birds were snared”
    Snares are set by enemies to catch and Jeremiah 18:22 says 22 Let a cry be heard from their houses when you suddenly bring invaders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet.

Bereavement, Grief or Mourning can be like an invader in your world.

Through Jesus The Christ, We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124)

Praise for Deliverance from Enemies

124 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; 2  If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: 3  Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: 4  Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: 5  Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

6  Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7  Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. 8  Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Sometimes one may feel like they’ve fallen into a pit. Often there are not words to describe the state a person is in during their times of Grief. Grief can be experienced in various ways. Here are some words to describe what someone may experience during their journey. 

Mental Suffering:

  • agony
    anguish
    bereavement
    despair
    discomfort
    gloom
  • heartache
    heartbreak
    melancholy
    mourning
    pain
    regret
    remorse
    sadness
    sorrow
    trouble
    unhappiness
    woe
    worry
    affliction
    dejection
    depression
    misery
Symptoms can be emotional, behavioral and or physical with impacts on the whole person.

Some maybe:

 Emotional: shock, denial, numbness, sadness, guilt, anxiety, fear, anger, irritability.

Behavioral: crying unexpectedly, sleep changes, not eating, withdrawing from others, restlessness, trouble making decisions.

Physical: concentration problems, exhaustion or fatigue, decreased energy, memory problems, upset stomach, pain, and or headaches.

These and other symptoms may last from days, weeks up to years. There is no designated timeframe, however there should be some noticeable gradual recovery and resuming of the life practices prior to the loved ones passing as time moves forward.

Symptoms that are not normal and may signal the need to talk with a professional include, drug use, alcohol, violence, and thoughts of killing oneself.

*Don’t be tricked, deceived, or fooled into believing that you should remain in what feels like a snare or trap.

There are five traditional stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. If we manage them well and go through them they become a part of the framework that makes up our learning to live with the one we lost. They are tools to help us frame and identify what we may be feeling. But they are not stops on some linear timeline in grief.

There is healthy and unhealthy Grief, Mourning, and Bereavement.

Unaddressed they can become a snare if not attended to adequately. Jehovah God, Abba Father, Adonai wants us to move from feeling, living ensnare/ trapped to living a Graced filled life. Leaning on Him, changing our confession to say what is in Philippians 4:19King James Version (KJV)

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Let Him help move to 

  • blessing
    comfort
    contentedness
    contentment
    gladness
    good health
  • happiness
    health
    joy
    joyfulness
    peace
    pleasure
    relief
    satisfaction
    aid
Sister Angela Shockley is our Grief Care Ministry lead. Sis. Shockley contact information is: teemee91@gmail.com.

 

Also, look for support in your community and reach out.  The Whole Heart Center, under the leadership of Denise Rollins, offers many low cost and no cost services:
  • One-one-One Coaching
  • I.F.E. Groups, Retreats, Experiences
  • Grief Support Groups
Contact information: Phone – 866.393.5847; E-mail – suport@wholeheartcare.org; website – www.thewholeheartcenter.org; Facebook: @the wholeheartcenter.

 

Additionally, we have attached a link to 64 Tips for Coping with Grief at the Holidays and a Grief Help Guide.
Click on the following links:

www.whatsyourgrief.com/64-tips-grief-at-the-holidays/

https://www.helpguide.org/home-pages/grief.htm

Remember: You don’t have to go through your journey of grief alone! We are here for you and there are other available resources for support.