Part 2
THE FALSE BRIDGE
Christians sometimes try to take the false bridge. They try to move from the loss directly to new beginnings without allowing themselves to feel anger or hopelessness. Consider the following biblical examples that show that grieving is an appropriate response to loss.
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
Facing the pain of loss takes courage. We are tempted to avoid it. But if we do not grieve a loss, the grief will stay in us and fester.
REFLECT & RESPOND
Sometimes the grief journey is delayed. Sometimes it is necessary to set aside losses to maintain focus. We just keep going because of the mission, our unit responsibilities, or because we are not safe to talk about the issue. When we are safe and able to reflect on this, we will need to take the grief journey.
Journal Exercise #2
Write about your own grief journey. What was your grief journey like? Did you loop back or get stuck along the way? Did you try to take the false bridge? Did you have to delay the journey?
If you have not yet downloaded and printed your Module 3 journal, you can download it now.
SOME TYPES OF LOSSES CAN BE HARDER TO ACCEPT
Sometimes, there are situations that can make grieving even more difficult. These situations can block the stages of grief. Flip the cards below to read examples, or click the play button to hear them read.
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There are many losses at the same time
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The loss is sudden or violent
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There is not a body to be buried
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You cannot participate in the grieving rituals
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You lost a trusted leader
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The bereaved have unresolved problems with the dead person
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Death comes too soon
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