Monday, April 15, 2013

What Are Phases of The Grief Process?

If you've read a bit about grief you've probably noticed key words like denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. For a quick summary of this notion, I've found a video clip that briefly outlines the journey and answers this question: I have heard that grief is a process. If that is true, then what are the phases of the process and will I ever be done with the grieving process?
 
You'll have to click on this link but it will be well worth the travel. You'll find a six-minute video featuring Dr. Henry Cloud with a good summation of the grief process. Christian psychologists Cloud and Townsend address many other issues on this website, so please explore. You might find a lot to interest and help you.
 
View this video. And then delve into this storm--become a student of your own grief. Learn about the process, recognize the phases or feelings of this letting go and surrendering experience.
 
Dr. Cloud talks about surrounding yourself with support structures and people who can hold you up. As he says, grieving is meant to be within community. That's the purpose of this blog--to support,  reinforce and hold you; its one of a variety of places from which you'll find handholds for this journey. Also find friends, a church family, a grief support group and a few good books. Like Cloud says, find a time, a place and people to grieve with who will provide relationship and support. And then, lean on them all and grieve, my friend.
 
That's why I'm here. I know the isolation, the unspoken needs, the unexpected pain. God has brought me through, but I remember how it was. So now I provide three venues of help to widows---the kind of help that I would have wanted.
  1. This blog, Widows Christian Place, with daily encouragement to know you're not alone. Click Follow by Email on the sidebar if you'd like to receive this by email rather than having to visit each day.
  2. My book, Postcards from the Widows' Path which walks you through the widowhood of Naomi and Ruth, an older widow and a younger widow in the Bible, and helps you experience the amazing intent of the heart of God toward widows.
  3. Lifeboat support groups for widows on Facebook, providing a life-saving community like Dr. Cloud mentions.
Whether you find helpful information, role models, or one-on-one correspondance, feel free to take what you need from Widows Christian Place. May the Lord fill you and make you whole again.
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2 comments:

  1. Watched the video.very good but wish it was a little longer.
    Mar

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Mar, Yes, it is very brief. Keep in mind its only a general summary too. Search around the website though, there is a lot of other good information too.

    ReplyDelete

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