"When your heart breaks from grief, that can also be the time
when your heart opens even more to love." -Doreen Virtue
As you may know, Louise Hay made her transition recently on August 30, 2017, passing peacefully in her sleep at age 90. Although she had lived a long life, it was still a shock when she passed.
Shock is a natural reaction to change. It’s the first stage of grief which gives us a cushion while we slowly adjust to accepting the change. Even if you didn’t know Louise personally, it’s likely that you felt a personal connection with her, and that can still lead to shock and other signs of grief.
When new losses occur, it can bring up old unhealed grief about our previous losses. New grief can compound old grief. Signs of unhealed grief can include a change in eating or sleeping patterns, unstable emotions including bursts of anger, temptation to relapse into addictive behavior, and depression.
That’s why it’s important to take good care of yourself during the grieving process. Being extra-gentle with yourself, keeping your schedule simple, avoiding harsh situations, immersing yourself in prayer, and making quiet time, are examples of necessary self-care during the grieving process. Therapists who specialize in healing from grief and trauma, as well as grief support groups, can be tremendously helpful.
Grief involves many emotions and thoughts, including survivor’s guilt, anger and blame. These aren’t pleasant emotions, but they need to be addressed instead of smothered over, or ignored. Prayer, journaling, and getting compassionate support can help you to heal from these intense-but-normal reactions to loss.
Grief, like all forms of earthly suffering, can lead to great healing and spiritual growth. Our broken hearts can have more compassion, and a greater ability to love deeply. We may be inspired to help others through their grief, to spend more quality time with loved ones, and to focus upon our true priorities.
Here’s a helpful prayer:
“Dear God, Thank you for holding my hand and sending your comforting angels to me during this time of transition. Please lift me up, and give me the strength to fulfill my responsibilities and priorities, and show me which activities to focus upon and which to release. Thank you for being with my loved one who crossed over, and reassuring me that they are with you in heaven. In Jesus name, Amen.”
In his sermon on the mount, Jesus said these comforting words: “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4 NLT).
My prayers are with you, and with everyone whose heart is grieving. May we find peace and comfort in God’s love.
Love,
Doreen
