The Faces of Grief

Grief has many faces It astounds and confounds It pierces and perplexes It turns your world upside down It invades like a thief It steals your normalcy You’re right – its name is Grief! Life’s intrusive enemy! Is it a friend or foe? Is it all good or bad? Don’t ask me; I don’t know! I know I’ve lost what I had Grief starts with denial ‘I’m fine, there’s nothing wrong’ ‘This is an unreal trial’ ‘I’ll drown in wine and song’ ‘No! I have lost nothing!’ ‘Impossible! This can’t be!’ ‘I think I’m just dreaming’ ‘My mind’s playing tricks on me!’ Denial turns to anger ‘God, why has this happened?!’ ‘This is not fair, Father!’ ‘It’s my fault! I’m ruined!’ ‘Why did I have to lose her?!’ ‘Why has he left me?!’ ‘Why do I have to suffer?!’ ‘No one understands me!’ Then we start bargaining ‘God, please give her back to me!’ ‘I’ll do anything!’ ‘God, make him return to me!’ ‘Please let me amend the past!’ ‘Please give me one more chance!’ ‘Let me fix this broken mast!’ ‘Take me back to the last dance!’ Depression then sets in The ebbing wave of defeat ‘All is lost. I’ll just give in’ ‘I’m crying in my seat’ ‘It’s so dark and gloomy’ ‘When have I last eaten?’ ‘She’s gone. Just let it be’ ‘I’m crushed by this burden’ ‘Jesus, You know my grief Through it all, You’ve been with me In You, I find relief You’ve borne my grief on the Tree’ ‘Help me accept this loss It hurts; please comfort me I’m found, no longer lost I’m Your child for eternity’