If mere words were enough, we would all be okay by now. But having lost a precious loved one myself, I’ve wrestled with wondering how can anything truly soothe, mend, and refill the gaping hole from where the one we loved was ripped away? I’d like to share with you what has helped me, in hopes that you will feel an easing of your pain, and hold a newfound glimmer of hope.
Nothing and no one in this life can provide what the God of all comfort offers. Comfort is not the removal of pain, but it is knowing that with Jesus, everything is going to be all right. He is the only One who offers eternal hope, because He is the only one who can and has paid for it once and for all!
We could never earn our way to heaven, and there is nothing we can do that is not able to be forgiven by Him, when we choose to believe and receive His free gift.
We may or may not know where our loved one is, but we CAN know where we are going when we die. And that is truly comforting, especially in the middle of our deepest darkest valley.
Preaching is not my thing, so I’ll close here and encourage you to read more if you want. Below are some helpful links. Bottom line: God is everything we need, and through his son Jesus, He has made it possible for us to have His comfort and His hope. Choosing to believe is as simple as reaching out to Him however you can. No rules. No religion. Just connecting with Him on His terms. All free, paid for already. All are invited. Including you, and me. ♥
~Welby
ENTITLED? A Personal Reflection on Life
An excellent article on help for those who grieve a suicide:
https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/life-issues/challenges/mental-and-emotional-issues/help-for-those-grieving-a-suicide/
NEED TO TALK with SOMEONE NOW?
Chaplain Richard Strait: 231-288-4222 ; StraitMinistries@GMail.com
SUPPORT for LOVED ONES of SUICIDE VICTIMS:
PTSD Projects Grief Support Group www.facebook.com/groups/189991498424246/
22 Too Many www.facebook.com/22TooMany
Alliance of Hope 847-868-3313 www.allianceofhope.org
SOLOS www.facebook.com/SolosSurvivorsOfLovedOnesToSuicide
Survivors of Suicide www.survivorsofsuicide.com
TAPS 1-800-959-TAPS (8277) www.taps.org
Families of Veterans Suicide www.loveyourveterans.org/resources/veteran-suicide
See what you have locally as well, if you have not done so. Some VA and Vet Centers have programs for friends and families impacted by a veteran’s suicide or attempt.
For the spouses of those who committed suicide:
https://themighty.com/2017/01/spouse-partner-suicide-grief/
Find a Church Near You:
http://www1.cbn.com/spiritual-life/church-directory
Google “Bible Studies” for More Options:
One example: http://freebiblestudiesonline.org/
Resources Affirming the Truth of the Bible:
https://www.amazon.com/Evidence-That-Demands-Verdict-Life-Changing/dp/1401676707/
https://www.amazon.com/Bible-True-Really-Skepticism-Chronicles/dp/0802487661/ref
https://www.amazon.com/Creator-Cosmos-Scientific-Discoveries-Century/dp/1576832880/ref=
If and when you are ready, here are some steps I took personally in response to what I had discovered. There are no magic words to say or religious steps to “perform.” God wants us to honestly come before Him and receive his gift.
♥
1. Acknowledge my helplessness as a sinner before God.
“We are all utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, so God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.” (Romans 3:23 The Message Bible)
2. Choose to believe that God loves me and Christ died for me.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
3. Honestly admit to God that I need Him.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
4. Choose to receive God’s free gift of eternal life only through His Son.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
5. Trust Him to do as He promised.
“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:12-13)
6. Begin my new life with good things that will help reaffirm my choice, and strengthen my relationship with the Lord, such as reading the Bible, praying (talking with God), and connecting with others who also follow Jesus. ♥
Goodbye for Now: Practical Help and Personal Hope for Those Who Grieve
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Holding a Master’s Degree in counseling from Portland State University and a teaching degree from Biola University, based on her own life journey Welby O’Brien has authored LOVE OUR VETS: Restoring Hope for Families of Veterans with PTSD(www.LoveOurVets.org), Goodbye for Now (grief support), and Formerly A Wife (divorce support). She is also a contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Soul: Divorce and Recovery, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America, as well as Shepherding Women in Pain. Welby initiated and continues to facilitate the spouse and family support network known as Love Our Vets – PTSD Family Support, LLC.
