How To Navigate Healing Through Grief And Loss
Robert was taught that to be a man of the house, you provided and protected your family. When his wife was diagnosed with cancer, he was faced with something he couldn't protect her from and was left feeling resentful towards God. "I was angry because my wife, in my eyes, she was perfect." In January of 2019, Robert's wife lost her fight with cancer when God called her home. Robert turned to GriefShare to help him process. The program has given Robert the ability to meet people who have similar stories and watch how God shows up in their lives. Watch his story of finding healing through pain:
Here are 3 key learnings from Robert’s journey through GriefShare:
Healing Is Vulnerable: Robert remembers, “It was really hard saying goodbye to somebody you’ve been with over 35+ years of your life. When grief comes, it grips you and it’ll take you to a point where you don’t know who you are, and you can’t control it.” Robert recalls his first night at a GriefShare gathering where he cried the whole night, and when others said that it was okay to be exactly as he is, that was a pivotal moment for him in his journey navigating such deep grief. More often than not, hurting people simply need the space and the permission to be hurt.
Healing Is Communal: Grief, while an isolating experience, is a universal one as well. Robert recalls a man he met at GriefShare who had lost his wife, had lost everything, and had been fighting cancer himself for over 10 years at the time they met. When he passed away, Robert felt compelled to share with this gentleman’s children of the way he had a profound impact on his life as he modeled entrusting his healing with God in community.
Healing Is Transformative: Across his life, Robert has become a person of empathy. God has transformed his hurt to healing in order to help others. "God has led me down paths of helping other folks. If you ever come across anybody, a total stranger, just share what he's done for you, and he'll do the rest." He can share his story now because of the transformation that has taken place in his life.
If you’re on your own journey of navigating healing through grief and loss, find care and support here.