Getting Out of the Way: Letting God Speak to Our Grief & Loss
Struggling to process your grief and loss? Explore a simple practice that invites God to witness your loss, speak into your pain, and hold you in your grief.
I have a knack for making [inserts literally anything] more complicated than it needs to be. And that is often true for what I write here on Steadfast Soul Care. I brainstorm and mindmap. I write rough-rough drafts. I refer to my editorial calendar and editorial matrix. But sometimes, I just can’t get an idea to stick around long enough to tell me what it wants from me.
The last two weeks, I’ve written on loss and grief while also serving in ministry. I’ve shared a bit of my own experience navigating grief while serving in ministry. But the last few days, I have wracked my brain on what else I want to say, what God might want to say, what wants to be said. And I couldn’t get a usable idea to show itself.
And then, in an ordinary conversation, a friend mentioned that she wanted to set aside some time with God about something that was on her mind.
And that was it. What if, to wrap up this month about grief and loss, we set aside some time with God, hold our loss and grief in our hearts and hands, and let God do the talking?
It’s that simple.Â
So I’m getting out of the way this week, and I’m inviting you to let God into your grief and loss. I pray that his healing hand will be on the time you spend with him, friends.
A Practice for Letting God Speak to Our Grief & Loss
Settle into a time of solitude, and spend several moments quieting yourself. Close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply. Hold in your mind the loss and grief that has been weighing you down. Open your hands as though you are holding this loss and grief.
Slowly read through Psalm 139:1-6 from The Message:
God, investigate my life; Get all the facts firsthand I’m an open book to you; Even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say Before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, Then up ahead and you’re there, too– Your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful– I can’t take it all in!
Continue to breathe slowly and deeply. Read through the passage again.Â
Notice what word or phrase catches your attention.Â
Ask Holy Spirit to shine light on what this word means for the loss and grief you hold.
Converse with God about what he’s revealed. Consider journaling to get these thoughts and feelings out of your mind, through your body, and onto a page.
Close by slowly reading the passage one more time. This time, offer the words as a prayer of gratitude to God for his attentiveness to you, your loss, and your grief.
Comment & Community
I’d love to hear from you–how do you invite God into your grief and loss? Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences in the comments. Your words may encourage someone else on their journey.