Grief is a deep mental anguish, as that arising from bereavement. It is a source of deep mental anguish, due to loss, whether by death, situation, or other relationship.
Brief Explanation:
Grief is a process, beginning with a traumatic (to the client) event in their life. Issues of death and dying will frequently be encountered in counseling. Being aware of the common reactions people may have during the dying process and for the bereaved after the loss of a loved one, is essential to good counsel and care in general.
As covered under the topic of death above, grieving is often misunderstood. It is thoroughly biblical and healthy to grieve, mourn, but if believers, not without hope. That is, we grieve our loss (blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted) but with the knowledge that to be absent in the body is to be present in the Lord. Glib “he or she is in a better place” or “God needed your mom or dad more than you” can be cruel, and are to be avoided. The ministry of presence, listening, empathetically, is the best medicine for one in times of grief. Of course, watch for delayed responses, sometimes years later of unresolved grief. See Grief Relief by Dr Stan DeKoven.
The Word of God:
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
John 11:35, 36
“Jesus wept. So, the Jews were saying, ‘See how He loved him!’”
John 14:1
“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.”
1 Peter 1:3-5
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”
