From Broken to New - A Spiritual Reset in Your Grief
Losing someone you love changes everything, doesn't it? It can really shake up your faith. You might even feel distant from God, maybe a little angry. Grief, in its own way, can become a chance to really take a close look at your spiritual life again.
After I lost my wife, I felt completely lost. Everything we had built together was... gone. The future felt so blurry and uncertain. In the middle of my grief, I made a conscious choice. I decided to re-surrender my whole life to God. I was not giving up. I was actively trusting God with everything, even with something as personal as who I might spend the rest of my life with. It felt like a scary step, a real leap of faith, but deep inside, it gave me hope.
That act of surrender became my way through the overwhelming grief. It wasn't a quick fix, it was definitely not a magic cure. It was more of a slow, gradual process. God, in His grace, began to work inside my sadness. He helped me see my faith from a different perspective. Slowly, He started to reveal a new way forward.
Maybe, as you're reading this, you're wondering if something like this is even possible for you. Finding closeness with God again when you're hurting so deeply can feel incredibly hard, even impossible right now. But I assure you, it truly can happen. God did it in my life and He can do it in yours. We had a thunderstorm last night. A garden can look devastated after a really bad storm, right? But with care, it can be replanted, and new growth can emerge. In a similar way, your spirit has that same potential for renewal.
Imagine what it would feel like to have a deeper connection with God. Not just during the good times, but right in the middle of your pain. Picture yourself finding real strength and comfort in your faith, discovering a new sense of purpose that goes beyond what you've lost. Envision a future where your spiritual identity isn't defined by the past, but by the constant, unwavering love and guidance of a God who cares for you. God won't ask you to forget the person you loved so deeply - He wants to walk right alongside you in your grief, offering comfort, bringing healing, and showing you vision for a purposeful future.
The RESET Grief Recovery Method can be a real help here. It offers a framework, a way to navigate your grief and intentionally rebuild your spiritual life, step by step. Here are the stages:
Reflect. Take some time to really look honestly at your loss. How has it impacted what you believe? What you do spiritually? Allow yourself to feel all the pain, all the questions, all the doubts that come up. Try not to judge yourself for any of it. Where in your spiritual life do you feel disconnected? What beliefs that you once held strong, feel shaky now?
Embrace. Allow yourself to feel the full range of your emotions. The deep sadness, the anger, the confusion, the constant longing. Let God be present with you in the midst of these feelings. Practices like prayer, journaling your thoughts, and connecting with others who share your faith can be incredibly helpful during this stage.
Shape. This is where the intentional rebuilding really begins. Take some time to think about who you are now, after experiencing your loss, and having made the decision to surrender your life to God’s purposes. What new aspects of your faith truly resonate with you? Explore different ways to connect spiritually – reading inspiring texts, participating in worship, or other practices that bring you comfort and guidance.
Explore. As you begin to heal, start to look for new meaning and direction in your life, guided by your renewed faith. How might your experiences, even the really painful ones, be used to connect with and help others? What new interests or calling might God be quietly revealing to you?
Thrive. This is about continuing to grow and build momentum in your spiritual life. Keep nurturing your connection with God through consistent practices, seeking guidance when you need it, and staying open to the ongoing work God is doing in your life.
If you're feeling ready to start with the spiritual reset we are discussing today, here are a few simple things you can do:
Losing someone you love changes everything, doesn't it? It can really shake up your faith. You might even feel distant from God, maybe a little angry. Grief, in its own way, can become a chance to really take a close look at your spiritual life again. After I lost my wife, I felt completely lost. Everything we had built together was... gone. The future felt so blurry and uncertain. In the middle of my grief, I made a conscious choice. I decided to re-surrender my whole life to God. I was not giving up. I was actively trusting God with everything, even with something as personal as who I might spend the rest of my life with. It felt like a scary step, a real leap of faith, but deep inside, it gave me hope. That act of surrender became my way through the overwhelming grief. It wasn't a quick fix, it was definitely not a magic cure. It was more of a slow, gradual process. God, in His grace, began to work inside my sadness. He helped me see my faith from a different perspective. Slowly, He started to reveal a new way forward. Maybe, as you're reading this, you're wondering if something like this is even possible for you. Finding closeness with God again when you're hurting so deeply can feel incredibly hard, even impossible right now. But I assure you, it truly can happen. God did it in my life and He can do it in yours. We had a thunderstorm last night. A garden can look devastated after a really bad storm, right? But with care, it can be replanted, and new growth can emerge. In a similar way, your spirit has that same potential for renewal.
- Try to find a quiet space where you can just sit and be still with God. Even if you don't have any specific words to say, simply being present with Him can be really powerful.
- Consider writing down what you're thinking and feeling. Your questions, those moments of connection, your prayers. This can really help you see the direction of your journey more clearly.
- Reach out and talk to people who understand your faith. Maybe a spiritual leader you trust, or a grief support group that shares your beliefs. Sharing your experience can bring a lot of comfort and guidance.
- Spend time reading scripture. Look for passages that offer comfort, hope, or wisdom as you navigate these tough times. Allow those words to speak to your heart in a new way.
- Even in the midst of your grief, try to notice small things you can be thankful for. It might feel difficult, but it can help shift your focus and cultivate a sense of hope.
- Remember to be kind and patient with yourself. Healing and spiritual growth both take time. There will be days that feel much harder than others. Treat yourself with the same compassion that God offers you.
- And if you've made that brave decision to surrender your life to God afresh, hold onto that commitment. Trust that even when the way forward isn't clear to you, God is still actively working in your life.
When I made the choice to surrender my future to God, even something as personal as who I might eventually share my life with, I was truly surprised by what happened. In God's perfect timing, I found love again. I wasn’t looking to find a replacement for my beloved wife. It was God’s doing, a powerful testament to His faithfulness.
Your own journey will be unique, shaped by your individual experiences and God's specific plan for you. But the invitation remains open: to allow your grief to become a catalyst for a profound spiritual reset. In doing this, you will discover a deeper and more meaningful connection with God, and a renewed sense of purpose and hope for the future. Take that first small step today. God is with you, ready to guide you on this journey of healing and spiritual renewal.
A fellow-traveler on the road,
Gerry van der Wende
Advance Life Transformation
www.advancelifetransformation.com
P.S. As always, please feel free to write to us with prayer requests, comments or questions. Just click here to send us an email.
