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The grieving process is essential for healing
The Bible tells us that "for everything there is a season," including "a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Death is a part of human existence, which means that all of us will eventually walk the road of losing a loved one.
The emotional stages of grief have been described as: 1) shock and denial; 2) anger; 3) bargaining; 4) depression; and 5) acceptance. Not everyone passes through every stage, and they are seldom experienced in this order. Everyone grieves in his or her own way, and one way is not necessarily better than another. Through the journey, encouragement can be found in the promises the Lord has given us in the Bible. For example, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
Of course, grief—though very real and difficult—is and ought to be different for the Christian. We grieve, but not as those who have no hope of the resurrection: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 4:14).
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