By His Grace
Grace for the Grieving: Three Lessons from Loss 

Grace for the Grieving: Three Lessons from Loss 

Grace for the Grieving: Three Lessons from Loss 

by Baylee Dunn

I remember it as if it were yesterday, though it has been several months since God called my grandfather home after a long, hard-fought battle with stage four cancer. It felt like the world around me was crumbling as I got the news. “Baylee, Popa passed away tonight.” I lay still on the brown leather couch in our living room, clinching a blanket with both hands, praying that I was in a dream. 

Instead, it was a reality. A man whom I loved with every ounce of my being had breathed his last and ascended into Heaven. Grief rushed in like roaring floodwaters on that dark March night. Tears rushed down my face in a torrential downpour. My body shook violently as I sobbed. Thoughts came spiraling through my mind. “He’s going to miss my college graduation. He will not be there to dance at my wedding one day. I will never hear him sing “Happy Birthday” with the passion and style of Elvis Presley again.” 

So much loss… 

At that moment, I could not imagine a world without him in it. To be honest, I still have a hard time with each passing milestone. Though my grandfather is in Heaven, my heart aches for him here on Earth. It is an ache that I know will not easily fade. I will carry it with me through each of my days. There will be sorrow, there will be sadness, but with God, I will move toward gladness. 

Three lessons that I have learned from my season of grief

Here are three lessons that I have learned from my season of grief. I pray that my words encourage you to cling to the Lord, even when it is hard. If you are grieving today, know that there is grace for you in that sacred space, friend. May the Lord hold you close, draw you near, and remind you that even in suffering, He is still here. 

  1. In times of sorrow, the Lord may feel distant. However, He is ever-present. 

The Bible tells us that the Lord is close to the broken-hearted. With His nearness, comes the peace that only he can provide. He will hold you, dry your tears, and give gentle reminders that He is still here. 

  1. Where there is deep grief, there is great love. 

When experiencing loss, it can sometimes feel as if the sadness is impossible to release. It runs deep. If ever you find yourself deep in grief, remember that the Lord will sustain you. You are loved in this space, too. 

  1. Where there is hurt, there is a healer. No grief is too big for God’s grace to cover. 

One of the most comforting promises to cling to during a season of grief is that which is found in Revelation 21:4-5. I pray that this passage encourages you to focus on the Lord during hardship. He will heal your hurt and hold you upright. 

“4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 

Be blessed, friends! 

Baylee Dunn

If you enjoyed this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media. Also, I love mentoring Baylee and having her guest post for me. She is such a joy! Speaking of joy, you may also enjoy my recent By His Grace podcast with the author of Joykeeper: 6 Truths that Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Joy, Suzanne Eller. Check out the episode Joy in Jesus.

Much Love, Misty

Stephanie Pletka: Living Your Best Life

Stephanie Pletka: Living Your Best Life

This week I welcome my dear friend Stephanie Pletka author Living Your Best Life: Letting Go of Self-Doubt, Fear, and Other’s Expectations to Live the Life You’ve Always Dreamed. I introduce her as a “joy dispenser”, and you will understand why when you listen to this episode. She is the girl who has your back, will make you laugh, and doesn’t take herself so seriously.  She is a cheerleader and a dream defender, and I know this episode is going to bless you.

By His Grace Podcast

By His Grace Podcast with guest Stephanie Pletka

Stephanie shares her journey from blogging to becoming a “Dear Abby” to moms. We have a fun conversation that covers a wide range of topics from:

  • Mom Guilt
  • Comparision
  • Identity
  • Perfection
  • God is in Control
  • Perspective
  • Maintenence
  • Friendships
  • Virtual Gold Stars
  • Failure
  • Giving Ourselves Grace
  • Mind Games
  • Finding Your Tribe
  • Change is Hard
  • Grace
  • Homeschooling
  • Adventure Traveling with Kids
  • Taking Risk
  • Value of a Skinned Knee
  • Giving God Glory
  • Putting God First

Resources: Grace is Greater: God’s Plan to Overcome Your Past, Redeem Your Pain, and Rewrite Your Story by Kyle Idelman.

Life verse: Philippians 4:13 ESV – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” 

By His Grace

By His Grace Podcast with guest Author Stephanie Pletka

Stephanie Pletka is a speaker, entrepreneur, and author of Living Your Best Life. Her passion is to help women let go of self-doubt, fear, and other’s expectations, to chase their dreams, and write their story. She lives with her husband and four kids in Scottsdale, AZ.

Thanks for listening to the By His Grace podcast. If you enjoyed this podcast please consider sharing it with a friend. Sharing is caring! You may also enjoy listening to One Woman Can Change the World With Ronne Rock .

Our Response to Suffering

Everyone suffers. Unfortunately, suffering is a part of this world. If you are not suffering now, you have either suffered in the past or will suffer in the future. Suffering is an unpleasant but necessary part of life. When you suffer, where do you turn? Your perspective is everything!

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Jesus was a man acquainted with suffering. Over and over in the New Testament the Greek word for suffering, πάσχω (paschō), is used in reference to Jesus. Here are a few examples of the many references to Jesus and suffering in the New Testament.

suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised – Matthew 16:21

So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands – Matthew 17:12

the Son of Man must suffer many things – Mark 8:31

how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things -Mark 9:12

The Son of Man must suffer many things – Luke 9:22

But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation -Luke 17:25

These are just a few verses in reference to suffering and Jesus. It is important to understand that Jesus suffered. This enabled Jesus to be a sympathetic High Priest. He understands the difficulty of living in a fallen and sinful world firsthand. Jesus came to earth was despised, rejected, and suffered crucifixion on our behalf.

What should our response to suffering be? We should boldly draw near to Jesus. He is our High Priest, who is acquainted with our suffering in order that we may receive mercy and grace.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:15-16

When you suffer, you have a choice. You can choose to become bitter or angry or you can choose to cast your cast your cares on Jesus, and abide in His mercy, grace and unending love. Aren’t you glad to know that Jesus understands our suffering? He loves us, and cares for us. Will you trust him with your suffering today?

For more posts like this Choose Joy!

Learning to Show Grace to Myself

*** UPDATE 2017 ***

I posted this last year on Labor Day weekend. What a difference a year makes! In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, life, as we know it on the Texas Gulf Coast, is far from normal. Yet this post still resonates with me on this Labor Day Weekend, but for different reasons. I still need to show myself some grace, because as much as I would like for things to get back to normal, things are still a little topsy turvy right now, and I need more grace than ever.

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I am my own worst critic and tend to be very hard on myself! What about you?

My type-A personality drives me to accomplish much, and I have a difficult time relaxing. I set up very high expectations for myself and then feel defeated if I don’t live up to my self-imposed “righteous” standards. I put unrealistic expectations on myself and my family. I think my house should always be spotless, and that my kids should always behave and do what I think they should do. I drive myself to perfection, especially when I undertake any outside projects or events. I work myself up into a frenzy and push myself to exhaustion.

I believe it is a biblical concept to strive for excellence in all we do, and I get this from 1 Corinthians 10:31:

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

[ctt template=”2″ link=”4cYBr” via=”yes” ]It is a good thing to want to do everything to the glory of God and to strive for excellence.[/ctt]

However, if I am so hard on myself that I feel guilt or shame because I haven’t lived up to my own expectations, then I am only hurting myself.

 

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This week in Bible Study, we discussed our battle with sin and the power that we have as Christians to live a life pleasing to God based on Romans 8. The first thing we read is Romans 8:1.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

I don’t know why I expect perfection from myself—the only perfect person to ever walk this earth was Jesus. Not only that, but He came here to save me. He came to set me free from the bondage of sin and death, and He doesn’t want me to feel condemnation.

[ctt template=”2″ link=”p5WKw” via=”yes” ]I am beginning to learn to have grace with myself when things don’t go as I have planned.[/ctt] I am human, and I am going to make mistakes.

Romans 3:23, says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Most likely, I will continue to disappoint myself and others along the way, but I don’t have to feel condemned. I must choose to believe that I am flawed, but forgiven.

[ctt template=”2″ link=”GSNW_” via=”yes” ]Does anyone else struggle to show themselves grace or am I alone in this battle? [/ctt]

Today, I choose to show myself grace. Instead of driving myself to perfection, I elected to enjoy this Labor Day weekend with my family, and try to catch up on some much-needed rest.

I hope you enjoy a wonderful Labor Day weekend and find rest in God this week!

 

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