On some level, we are all recovering from the grief of COVID-19. Recently, I shared on Just Between Us tools I believe will help you process your feelings and move towards health. Let’s look at what steps you can take to move towards recovering from grief today.
Recovering From the Grief of COVID-19
Loss is a reality today. Every week, I sit with clients, who are women just like you, grieving the loss of jobs, people they love, and the lives they thought they would live.
I lost someone I dearly loved three months ago. My parents called to let me know that my grandmother had quit eating and drinking. She was getting weaker by the moment. Not only did I lose her, but because of nursing home safety, I wasn’t allowed to visit her, to hold her hand, and be there for my parents.
The rest of the world has moved on, but I am still struggling with my concentration. My memory is scattered, and I’m still having really sad, low-energy days. Maybe you are experiencing similar feelings during this time of so many losses due to COVID-19.
These symptoms are completely typical for three months into the grief cycle, since the first part of grief is shock when it feels like this can’t be real. A lot of times the intense emotion doesn’t hit until three to six months into the loss. It could be even longer if you have small children to take care of or something else that can prevent you from taking time to grieve. We are a culture that gives three days for grief. However, in biblical times they tore their clothes, put on ashes, and took an entire year to grieve.
Below are some grief recovery helps to allow God an opportunity to join us as we heal.
1. Create time and space to grieve.
We cannot avoid the feelings that accompany grief. We need to give ourselves moments to connect with God and allow our real feelings to surface and be released through tears, words, and even our very breath. I love the book of Psalms because the writers continuously spill out real, unedited thoughts and feelings to God.
2. Refrain from judging your thoughts and feelings.
The Psalmists don’t get mad at themselves for being human, and neither should we. I love how the book weaves sadness and anger with the truths of who God is and how He works, creating moments of hope. Let go of a checklist of how grief . . .
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