Scripture: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” Psalm 18:2 (KJV).
Most of us have some experience with grief. We have either lived through a loss or have helped someone recover from one.
You can never be prepared for the death of a loved one. It always catches you off-guard. It does not matter how much you try to be prepared there is always gut-wrenching grief associated with the death of someone we care about.
How then can we protect our mental health while experiencing grief?
Here are a few tips:
Look to Jesus
Sometimes it may seem like God is absent, but He is not. He is always there. You will connect with Him if you make your daily prayer and Bible reading time a high priority in your life. The closer you walk with Jesus, the more healing and wisdom He will give you.
Feed on the Word of God.
Turn to Scriptures that can help you in your time of grief e.g.,
1 Peter 5:7, John 14:27, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:6-7
Talk to Someone
If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member and let them know what you are going through. Talk about what is been going on, talk about what is going well, talk about what is not going well at all.
Spend Time with Others
Try and find like-minded people and spend time with them. Spending time with others who ‘get’ you or doing something you enjoy will help you feel good and feel connected to others.
Surround Yourself with Supportive People
It may be family, colleagues, fellow church members, coworkers, or friends. Do not give in to the urge to hide your sadness around others. Do not isolate and withdraw from those who love and care for you.
Express your grief and allow yourself time to grieve your loss, just do not stay stuck there.
If you want to cry, cry. If you want to feel anger, allow yourself to do so. Express your grief and learn about it. Acknowledging your feelings will help you move forward.
Practice Self- Care…. Take Care of Your Physical Needs
Do not forget to do some very basic things like eating, exercising, and sleeping. It is important to remind yourself to do those basic things to fight off chronic stress.
Seek Professional Help If Necessary. If your grief seems like it is too much to bear, seek professional assistance to help work through your grief. It is a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek help.
As you grieve make preserving your mental health a top priority.