Healing from Loss and Grief
Grief is a deeply personal journey. There’s no universal timeline or right way to heal. For some, healing means being able to remember their loved one with a smile. For others, it’s finally feeling relief from the overwhelming waves of sorrow. Whatever healing looks like for you, honor it.
Here are some key factors that can support the healing process:
Faith: Finding Strength in God
Grief can make it hard to feel God’s love, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there. Even Jesus wept when His friend Lazarus died, showing us that sorrow is part of love. In Psalm 147:3, we’re reminded: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
God is near, even when our pain feels unbearable. His presence doesn’t take away the loss, but it surrounds us with comfort, hope, and the strength to keep moving forward.
Support System: Lean on Others
One of our brain’s instinctive grief responses is withdrawal: a desire to isolate ourselves from the world. But healing thrives in connection.
Let friends and family be there for you. They don’t need to have the right words. Sometimes, their quiet presence is enough.
Accept help when it’s offered, in the form of a meal, a listening ear, or just someone to sit beside you. Support matters.
Don’t be afraid to talk about your loved one. Sharing memories can be both healing and comforting.
Allow Yourself to Feel
Cry if you need to. Tears release stress hormones like cortisol, helping relieve emotional pressure.
Be kind to yourself. Your emotions aren’t wrong. They are part of the grieving process.
Don’t compare your grief to others. No two people grieve the same way.
Take Care of Your Body
Grief isn’t just emotional. It impacts your physical health, too.
Eat well, even when you have no appetite. Small, nutritious meals will help your body recover.
Move your body. A walk, light exercise, or stretching can help your brain create new neural pathways that support healing.
Seek Professional or Mutual Support
If grief feels too heavy to carry alone:
Consider therapy. A grief counselor can help you process emotions and develop healthy coping strategies.
Join a support group. Whether faith-based or community-led, hearing from others who understand your pain can be incredibly healing. Many groups now meet online, making it easier to connect, even from your home.
Healing is a Journey, Not a Destination
We don’t move on from grief. We learn to carry it differently. Your healing will look different from someone else’s, and that’s okay. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted."
Even in grief, you are not alone. Healing happens one step, one breath, one moment at a time.
Chidi Ndubueze, LPC, LADC/MH, ADSAC Assessor, SYMBIS Facilitator