Grief in the Arms of God

In this special episode of the podcast, Jessica Paige and Lupita Sandoval share their journey of grieving in the arms of God. These two friends stop by to open their hearts to all of us and share the healing that has taken place in the midst of their mourning. Jessica, 27, lost both of her beloved parents in recent years and Lupita, 26, lost her mother last year just one short month after she received a cancer diagnosis. They answer the question that lies heavy on any grieving heart: “Where do I go when hope is gone?”  About the Speakers:  Jessica is a San Diego native who loves to travel, try new Airbnb's, and discover the best chai tea lattes at different cafes! She is currently taking on photography as a hobby that might turn into a career. She has been a disciple of Christ for almost 9 years and couldn't be more sure that following God was the best decision she ever made. Lupita is also a San Diego native and a nature lover. As she pursued her major in Environmental Science, she learned about God and became a member of the San Diego Church of Christ. Episode Notes: Lamentations 3:18-21: I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.” I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”Q: Where do I go when hope is gone? John 11:4We need to acknowledge the kingdom and the ways God wants to use His people to share His comfort with you. Philippians 4:7- And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."You have access the peace that passes understanding through God’s love and comfort. Thanksgiving and grief go hand in hand. Reference to “A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23”It’s in the valleys that we find God’s refreshment. Don’t forget- God can restore your spirit.  It is so important to learn what your needs are so that you can communicate them to those around you.Practicals for those in the valley of grief:1. Recognizing WHEN you are grieving can be hard, but we can learn to sit in that and accept the emotions and the questions that come along with it, instead of trying to push them away. 2. Grief doesn’t have boundaries- it will spill into your work, your relationships, and everything else. And you will feel it in different and unique ways. Acknowledging this is empowering. 3. Prayer is so important in the grief process- you can come to Him as you are and be real with the rawness of your emotions in order to access some of His peace and comfort. Tips for comforting those around us that are grieving:Just Ask. Don’t be insecure. Ask what your friend’s needs are all often because it my change on a daily basis. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! What NOT to say to someone grieving: “Well AT LEAST (fill in the blank).” Try to avoid attempting to lessen the hurt because honestly, you can’t.   Support the showThank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!