003 Hope for the Grieving Parent: How to Help a Grieving Friend

Episode Summary:   In this episode, we’re talking about finding hope and calm in the chaos after the loss of a child and how to help a grieving friend. Whether you’ve lost a child to death, or even perhaps lost the dreams you had for your child because of illness or disability, or perhaps you are a friend or loved one to a grieving parent, we want you to know that you are not alone, and that there is hope despite the darkness you may feel.   No one anticipates a child dying, but when that happens, we need to know how to help a grieving friend. We need to know what helps and what doesn’t, what we should say and what we shouldn’t. That’s what Susan shares from her own grief experience.   Quotables from the episode:   The loss of a child is so painful. If you want to know how to help a grieving friend, listen to this episode. God has a purpose for each one of us, and we need to open our hands instead of clenching so tightly what we think is ours. Everyone is going to experience the death of a loved one. When I heard my son died, it was like the earth opened up and I fell into the abyss. In my grief, the longer I looked down at my feet, the blacker it became and I realized I was defeated. The Bible tells us that the enemy of our soul is under our feet, so I was looking at and listening to the liar. We need to look up and find the light. The light is Jesus. We should never say “I know exactly how you feel.” It’s better to compassionately say, “I can’t imagine your pain. But I care.” I challenge people who are grieving to get into the word of God. Let those words wash over you. If you’ve lost a loved one, particularly a child, there is no shame in weeping. Jesus wept. But remember grief is a process and the timeline is different for everyone. God can handle our anger. He knows it anyway. He just wants us to keep talking to Him.   Scripture References:   “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4) “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).   Recommended Resources:   “Dance with Jesus: From Grief to Grace” by Susan B. Mead “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award “Hope Prevails Bible Study” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://drmichellebengtson.com/encouraging-words-mothers-who-lost-child/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/how-to-comfort-a-friend-who-has-lost-a-child/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/grieve-well/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/is-it-grief-or-depression/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/15-tips-to-survive-grief/     Social Media Links for Host and Guest:   Stay connected with Susan B. Mead:   Website: https://SusanBMead.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanbmead/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanBMead Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-B.-Mead/e/B00O705P2C   For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:   To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/ Website: https://drmichellebengtson.com/ Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellebengtson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drbhopeprevails/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/   Air Date: ­­­­­­­April 29, 2019   Guest: Susan B. Mead, author, speaker, chaplain and mom with an MBA. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.