Grief counselor Larry Yeagley in his book, Grief Recovery, outlines a plan for readjustment after loss that he calls “CPR.” It is:
Communication. The environment of our society can make it difficult to talk about sad feelings. Someone in grief may need to talk but feel as if they are imposing on others by discussing their loss. It is important to actively seek out people who care enough to listen—and that may mean connecting with people in helping professions such as a pastor, counselor, physician, or with a support group.
Participation. Participating in the regular activities of life is an important step toward healing. Gradually expanding your activities and social circle does not mean you have forgotten your old life—it is a way of moving forward with a new life, a new “normal” that still has meaning.
Relationship. Major crises like death, divorce, or illness can impair a person’s ability to form or sustain relationships. Spending some time alone is healing, but prolonged isolation can hinder recovery. Actively reaching out to others to give and receive support is an important factor in recovery. It helps those who grieve establish meaning and purpose for their lives in a new context.
John Claypool lost his 10-year-old daughter in a 2-year battle with a terminal illness. In the promise of Isaiah 40:30-31, he found that strength came to him in a most unexpected form. “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” He summarized his experience:
- You “shall mount up with wings as eagles.” Here is exuberance and freedom. This type of strength does not fit the long nights of anxious care when tending to a sick child.
- You “shall run and not be weary.” Here is strength for action to solve problems and perform tasks. But in some situations, there is nothing you can do.
- You “shall walk and not faint.” “This may sound insignificant. Who wants to be slowed to a walk, creeping along inch by inch, just barely able to endure? But this is the only form of the promise that fits this situation. In the dark stretches of life, when you cannot soar and there is no place to run, to know of a Help that will provide the strength that enables you ’to walk and not faint’ is good news indeed.”
There is an end to sorrow. There are seasons of life that may feel like one, long winter. But the promise of summer is coming, when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4.
(Submitted by Betty Dean. Used by Permission from www.lifestylematters.com. Courtesy of LifeSpring – Resources for Hope and Healing, Stuart, VA.)
