Mourning
Grief is the internal meaning given to the experience of loss.
Mourning is when you take the grief you have on the inside and express it outside yourself.
Another example or way to describe or define mourning is grief gone public or the outward expression of grief.
Mourning is sharing, talking, or crying about the person or things you’ve lost to someone you love.
Mourning is journaling about your thoughts, your feelings, your loved one, or anything that you’ve lost that has caused grief in your life.
With us living in a digital world some people tend to mourn via social media whether it be sharing memories of their loved one or simply expressing that they are not ok and the emotions behind it.
And that is ok.
However, if it gets to a point where it’s excessive or unhealthy, and again I can’t tell you how to mourn, but don’t let social media be your minute by minute open diary.
Don’t be afraid to go to grief counseling.
If you feel like you want to harm yourself, you begin to have suicidal thoughts and want to be with the person you’ve lost, know that it is ok to talk to someone. If you feel like all hope is lost and you have no idea how you are going to survive the loss of your job, home, or relationship, please reach out to your family, friends, pastor, counselor, or godly counsel.
As you mourn, know that even people in the Bible grieved and mourned. Many times you may think of yourself as being weak because you are grieving and mourning.
You are not weak. You’ve just experienced a tremendous loss and it is ok to grieve, It is ok to cry.
Abraham mourned and wept over the death of his wife Sarah.
Even Jesus wept.
It is ok.
Coping with Grief
Let’s talk about some ways to cope with grief and how to be there for others who are grieving:
Seek therapy or grief counseling. I would even recommend searching for Christian counselors and therapists.
Read the Bible
Give yourself grace
Don’t try and rush through the grieving process
Seek God
Pray. Cry out to God in prayer.
Feed your soul with praise and worship music
If you are supporting someone who’s grieving:
Listen and listen more than you talk
Don’t make it about you, but do share your personal story of grief, the good that came from it, how you have grown, and how God provided healing for you.
Know that you don’t have to help them feel ok right away
Let them cry. Tears are a gift from God to wash away the pain.
Don’t assume they need to be cheered up
Don’t ask what happened or how their loved one passed away. Let them share when they are ready and when they are comfortable. It can be very difficult for them to keep repeating what happened every time they answer the phone when they are still struggling to process the loss.
Instead of telling them to reach out to you if they need anything, find a need and fill it.
Get food delivered to them, go over and tidy up their home.
Mark your calendar of the anniversary of their loved one or loss and send them a gift
Send a note or card at the 3 month, 6 month, and/or 1 year mark
Ask them if there is anything they need you to pray about
Ask if there anything you can do to help them get through the anniversary, significant event, or even their grieving season
Let them know you are feeling the pain with them and that they are not alone
Head over to listen to Part 3 of the Grief, Loss, & Legacy series on the podcast as I dive deeper into mourning and coping with grief and supporting those who are grieving.
Listen now on the podcast here.
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