Grief is not an enemy

We cannot perpetually avoid grief. Eventually it manifests itself in our souls, even against our will. It cannot be put off or gone around, but only gone through. Grief is nature's way of allowing the soul to feel the full weight of it's loss. 

Grief deferred often returns in unexplained waves of deep and relentless sadness. It must accomplish it's work in order for the soul to be healed. The mystery of grief cannot be fully understood by human words, ideas, and rationale. It can only be absorbed by the soul patiently and with trust in the Creator Who allows such unfathomable pain to overwhelm us at times.

Grief is not an enemy; grief is a process portending to wholeness. When Lazarus died, "Jesus wept" (St. John 11:35). 

Personally, I hate grief because it often invades the emotions like an intruder at specific triggers. For me, Christmas is one of those triggers.

Yet in my rational mind, I accept that grief must perform her entire and comprehensive work for the soul to reach perfection. By the gift of faith, I also must accept that not everything will be explained to us on this side of the curtain separating life and death. May God grant us the grace to accept the work grief comes to do within us, and in His infinite compassion, provide us with sympathetic companions.

Originally posted 28 December 2017