Loss. What a powerful word. That one word can stop you in your tracks. It can turn your world into a matrix of uncontrollable emotions and unexpected behavioral changes.
The object of the loss is not as relevant as it's significance to you. The loss of a job, a home, a pet, or an irreplaceable heirloom or memorabilia can divert your emotions down an unexpected path. You may not even notice it. Others will.
The loss of a loved one is usually "the big one." When Jacob heard that his son, Joseph, had been killed, he saw no way out of his grief: "I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning" (Genesis 37:35).
Loss can feel that bad. That hopeless. That overwhelming.
For many of you, I'm not telling you anything new. You've been down that path. You've been through the valley of the shadow of death. And it wasn't a walk in the park. You didn't stroll. You crawled. Sometimes, you just laid there in surrender.
Getting out of that valley can be one of life's greatest challenges. Once out, you never forget. No matter how much progress you make from that valley, you can still hear the voices from the shadows calling you back from time to time.
How do we deal with loss? Don't expect easy answers. Don't listen to those who offer them. There aren't any. The only thing you need to know is that God is with you and will lead you out in time. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...Thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4).
Forget about trying to figure out the timetable. We're all different and grief doesn't care about calendars and schedules. Seek advice from your family, your pastor, and your physician. Listen to them.
If you need ongoing spiritual and emotional guidance, do not hesitate to seek out a licensed Christian therapist. You will be amazed at how God can use him or her to help you heal. I know...
I've been there...
Perry Crisp
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