I admit that I haven’t been to church to faithfully recently. I wasn’t feeling well one week, J had to work early another week, etc... But we were able to make it today. It felt like today’s sermon was written just for me. It really hit home and has me thinking.

I have been struggling with my grief lately. There is the grief involved with placing Charlie for adoption. I don’t think I will ever be done grieving that loss. As he continues to achieve milestones and grow older, I know there will be certain times in which the grief is worse but I don’t think I will ever be finished grieving. Then, there is the grief involved with the miscarriages I’ve had since getting married and our struggles in conceiving. Dealing with each of those issues by themselves is tough enough but when you combine them it’s even worse as there are some days I feel like I have lost my chance to mother a second child because I placed Charlie. Wow, that’s a lot of grief to deal with!

In the sermon, our preacher made some very valid points which I will share with you. Some of these points I have probably thought or said before, but hearing them again today I was reminded of them.

1. You have a choice in how you will deal with your grief. If you respond negatively, you will become bitter and if you respond positively you will be become a better person, meaning that you will have some personal growth as a result of how you deal with things.
2. There is reversible and irreversible loss. Irreversible loss is much harder to deal with. For example, reversible loss is breaking your leg. Irreversible loss is having your leg amputated.
3. You must deal with your grief and face it head on. You can not run and hide from your grief.
4. Focus on the future. “What ifs” and “If only I had…” deflates your self esteem and creates self loathing.

My words can not do the sermon justice. I needed to hear those points today and feel like the service was written just for me. Perhaps you are struggling with your grief and needed to hear those too.

Points taken from the Grief Sermon given by Fentom Moorehead at Brookwood Church. If you'd like to hear or read the message, click here for various options such as a podcast, a video, or reading the outline. You will be looking for the grief sermon given on August 12th.

--
Related Posts:
God is in the Details
Grief Will Not Win
A Healing Prayer
Coping with Grief