(Pastor James Scarborough, Donalsonville Assembly of God)

We are in the midst of a time of year that I enjoy tremendously, especially since our grandchildren are at the perfect age to experience the beauty of Christmas. Not only are Mallory and Jaleah having lots of fun with decorating and anticipating gifts, but they are beginning to realize that Christmas is special because we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ Who came to provide the only way of eternal life for those who will believe upon Him and follow Him by faith.

In the midst of all the fun, I am reminded that the holiday season can be a time of extreme difficulty for many. While most of us look forward to all the festivities, there are others who dread this time of year. Among them are those who are grieving the death of a loved one.

Grief is never an easy part of life, but for many, it becomes even more difficult during the holiday season; it does not take a break during Thanksgiving , Christmas or any other holiday. This is true whether the death occurred a few months ago, a few years ago, or even decades ago. So I trust that some thoughts along this line of need will be helpful to both those who are grieving and those who are trying to help a friend or relative through this trying time of life.

It is important for us to realize that grieving the loss of a loved one is a normal process. The Bible states that even Jesus Christ grieved when He learned of the death of His dear friend Lazarus: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). While merely acknowledging that grief is a normal and necessary component of dealing with the death of a loved one, that does not make it easy or painless. Nevertheless, realizing that others who are going through such an adjustment are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings can offer a degree of encouragement.

With that I would add that, while there are usually some similarities in thoughts and feelings among the grieving, there can also be a quite a few differences as well. Each of us are unique, and we cope with things according to our unique personalities, backgrounds, beliefs and surroundings. With that in mind, it should bring some strength when we understand that when we approach our grief different from someone else, that does not make it wrong or ineffective. It simply recognizes that God created us as unique individuals with unique needs that He wants to help us work with on our level.

What can a grieving person do to make the holiday season more bearable, and hopefully even enjoyable? I know of no plan of action that fits perfectly for everyone, but I offer the following: Lean heavily upon faith in God and the comfort of His Word. Cherish the memories of days gone by and be grateful for God’s sufficient grace and mercy in the present. Remain patient and hopeful during the journey of grief. Seek out help from others and do not try to go it alone.

I do not know who originally penned the following words, but I leave them with you for your encouragement:

“When our vision is clouded by circumstance. . . God sees clearly. When our understanding is shadowed by questions . . . God knows perfectly. When our path is shaded with uncertainty . . . God leads faithfully.”

May God’s peace be made real to you during your time of need.