I’ve been facing a season of grief recently and this quote hit my heart deeply. Grief can leave us feeling so completely lost and alone that it’s a never ending spiral of confusion, pain and darkness. What I’m working to remember though is that everyone experiences grief and everyone grieves differently. Few take it into consideration but grief doesn’t only come from losing someone to death. Grief comes with the loss of a job, loss of a relationship, loss of trust or even come something as simple as having an expectation set that doesn’t come to pass.

Grief is how we process loss of all kinds and it’s important to remember than as painful as grief can be, it’s a HEALING process. Even right now as I grieve a huge loss in my life and I feel desperately lost, my logical mind is fighting that despair to remind my broken pieces that I will mend and I will be stronger on the other side of this painful season. Another key factor of the grieving process is that it’s our opportunity to share, to be supported and to connect with those around us.

Everyone faces grief in their life, sure we all process it differently but we all go through it and because of that we can all be the light and hope for one another. What are you grieving and have you sought the hope in another’s support? What’s stopping you? Do you know someone in a season of grief? How can you reach out so they are reminded they aren’t alone, it’s ok to hurt and that strength and healing is on its way?

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is a Behavioral Health Technician at RI International and the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer.