Thank you for this! I have a lot I could share but the recovery from unmet grieving processes can be severe (your body can only take so much if you are required to stuff it down). Looking back I wish I had someone who would’ve told me these things. It isn’t lack of faith or bitterness to grieve. Crying is healing. Processing out loud is healing. Weeping, wailing & being honest with God is healing. I’m so thankful He is with us when these moments take our breath away.
What a beautiful thought. “He is with us when these moments take our breath away.” I would add, “and he helps us breathe.” And one day, with his help, we can again breathe deeply.
Thank you for writing so deeply. My experience with the A/G and the wider evangelical church is there is no room for grief. Any type of sorrow is perceived as bitterness or an inability to "get over it." It is shameful.
Yeah--I didn't get into the theological part, but I think our "victory in Jesus" mentality (which was my favorite hymn as a teen!) doesn't give room for grief. Therefore, we never learn to grieve.
Thanks for reading. As followers of Jesus, we need to have tools to help us come closer to Jesus and find healing from our pain— like your healing art does.
J.S. Park writes the loss of an imagined future--and that really has resonated with me. His book, *As Long as You Need* has been very helpful in my journey.
J.S. Park's book has been on my "to read" list for a long time. I need to move it up! The loss of an imagined future is a great concept. (I likely read it from him). I know that has been a grief that hit me recently.
Thank you for this! I have a lot I could share but the recovery from unmet grieving processes can be severe (your body can only take so much if you are required to stuff it down). Looking back I wish I had someone who would’ve told me these things. It isn’t lack of faith or bitterness to grieve. Crying is healing. Processing out loud is healing. Weeping, wailing & being honest with God is healing. I’m so thankful He is with us when these moments take our breath away.
What a beautiful thought. “He is with us when these moments take our breath away.” I would add, “and he helps us breathe.” And one day, with his help, we can again breathe deeply.
Thank you for writing so deeply. My experience with the A/G and the wider evangelical church is there is no room for grief. Any type of sorrow is perceived as bitterness or an inability to "get over it." It is shameful.
Yeah--I didn't get into the theological part, but I think our "victory in Jesus" mentality (which was my favorite hymn as a teen!) doesn't give room for grief. Therefore, we never learn to grieve.
Thank you for this. It speaks directly to my own experience and my heart.
Thanks for reading and responding!
The exercise at the end is so practical and can only bring us closer to Jesus in our pain. Thank you for writing so thoughtfully.
Thanks for reading. As followers of Jesus, we need to have tools to help us come closer to Jesus and find healing from our pain— like your healing art does.
J.S. Park writes the loss of an imagined future--and that really has resonated with me. His book, *As Long as You Need* has been very helpful in my journey.
J.S. Park's book has been on my "to read" list for a long time. I need to move it up! The loss of an imagined future is a great concept. (I likely read it from him). I know that has been a grief that hit me recently.