When Grief Subsides: The Aftermath of Losing a Loved One

When someone you love dies, does the pain of grief ever go away, or does it merely scab over? This question haunts many of us who have lost cherished ones, yet we know that the journey ahead does indeed get better. This article explores the experiences of those who have faced grief and offers guidance on how to cope and find peace.

Dealing with Grief

Those who have experienced the loss of a loved one often find solace in staying close to their beliefs, especially when it comes to spirituality. Gerard, whose mother passed away, reflects, “The best way to deal with this in my experience is to stay as close to God as possible. He is with you every step of the way, even when the road seems so dark and miserable. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and His plans for you are always to prosper you.” Staying close to a higher power can provide a sense of comfort and hope during challenging times.

Subsiding Grief

While the pain of losing a loved one never truly goes away completely, it does become easier to live with. This realization comes with the passage of time and a recognition that the pain subsides as we continue on. As Steve so eloquently puts it, “Sadly no, but it does get easier to live with. It takes a lot of time and tears, but you will get there.”

Acts 24:15: “I have hope toward God . . . that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Religious belief offers a measure of comfort and faith, and scripture provides valuable insights. Acts 24:15 assures us, “I have hope toward God ... that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” This scripture implies that even after death, the loved ones we miss are not truly lost. They will be reunited with us in a positive afterlife.

John 6:39–44: “This is the will of him who sent me”

Referring to Jesus’ teachings, John 6:39–44 states, “This is the will of him who sent me that I should lose none out of all those whom he has given me but that I should resurrect them on the last day. For this is the will of my Father that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life and I will resurrect him on the last day. No man can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him and I will resurrect him on the last day.” These passages remind us that Jesus came to bring life and eternal life to those who believe in Him.

The Grief of Losing a Loved One

The loss of a loved one can have a profound and indelible impact on our lives. For a mother or father who has lost a child, the pain is likely to be searing. Beth, who has experienced the loss of several loved ones, shares her thoughts: “It is painful when a loved one dies. Especially when you’ve been with them from birth, as a mother or father, and when it is someone you gave birth to, it is even much harder to cope. And friends, you know no one can take their spot; they were just that special someone.”

The Resurrection of Loved Ones

Judging from the Bible, there is hope for a reunion with those we have lost. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25). This means that, despite the physical breakdown of the body, a new body will be supplied, just as one changes clothes. Beth concludes, “Soon, paradise will be here, and we will be able to hug our loved ones again. Thanks to Jehovah and Jesus.”