New Beginnings

At one time or another we all experience a new beginning, typically at many times in our lives. Change is hard and yet new beginnings can often times be the open door for which we have been hoping. Life is change; it is inevitable. Yet new experiences, new opportunities, new friendships, or even a fresh chance on a familiar relationship can be a powerful occasion for growth and maturity. Change does not come easy nor does living into something new. It is hard and often requires us to give up something we’ve held onto. And that typically takes grieving.

We must let go of some piece of ourselves or perhaps let go of a coping mechanism we’ve held onto for quite some time. Maybe the new thing requires us to actually relocate in some manner. We must take time to grieve where we have been or the relationship we have had with someone and then and only then can we really begin to embrace the new beginning fully. We are oftentimes scared of the newness that lies ahead of us (perhaps some personality types experience the fear more than others). But if we trust in the Lord and in His Sovereignty, we can be assured He holds our tomorrows and that He has good things in store because He loves us.

As believers, the Lord is constantly working to make us more like His Son. This will require many new beginnings and much grief work as well as deep heart work. We are constantly letting go of our flesh to take hold of His Spirit. We know He is in the business of making things new- just look at creation. The seasons show us this- winter always leads to spring and the new beginnings of life in nature around us. Trees, flowers and plants show us this too; there is new growth springing up around us slowly but surely as winter is winding down.

How can you yield to the new beginnings around you? How do you need to grieve what is behind and look forward to what He is doing? “I am making everything new.” (Rev. 21:5 NASB). Counseling can be an opportunity to process the newness before you and grieve what is behind. We all experience life transitions and having an experienced counselor to help guide you through those difficult experiences can be very beneficial. Through counseling you can begin to see the greater purpose behind the change and discover perhaps what the Lord is up to within you through the transition. Counseling can also help you to adjust to the new beginning. Change is all around us and will continue to be part of our lives, but we can learn to accept it and even welcome it. We can trust that He is making all things new for His glory.

Grief and the Holidays

The holidays are often difficult for many of us who have lost a loved one. Whether or not we lost our loved one around the holidays, this time of year can be very painful. Memories tend to come flooding back, usually uninvited. Oftentimes the people around us speak very little of the one we lost, perhaps "not to bring up anything that would make us upset", and maybe because they are uncomfortable with pain or sorrow themselves. However, we would typically benefit from talking about the ones we have lost, even if just for a moment. We need to connect with our lost loved one in some way, in many ways, during the holiday season.

The article here talks about grieving through the holidays and offers many helpful ways to not only honor your lost loved one, but also how to prepare the loved ones that are around for your grief at this time of the year. The article also reminds us that we need to take care of ourselves during this difficult time of the year when our grief can be almost palpable.

We that believe in Jesus Christ must also remember the hope that we have in Him during our grief and mourning.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (New Living Translation)

¹³ And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. ¹⁴ For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

Grief is difficult; it follows no easy formula, no clear timeline. Each person's grief is unique because each person's relationship with the loved one they lost is completely unique. Grief will sometimes cycle around unexpectedly and take us to new and deeper levels of loss, and of healing too. But within grief, there is an opportunity for deep healing, for remembering, and for forming a new relationship with the lost loved one. And there is the hope in Christ of seeing them again one day.