Grieving with Hope
Why We’re Starting a New Podcast
Grief was the elephant in the room most of my life. I knew it was there, lurking around every corner, but it was seldom addressed except for two dates – my brother’s birthday and the anniversary of his death.
My older brother Casey had Transposition of the Great Arteries, or d-TGA, from birth. He had complications from open heart surgery at just six months old. This profound, excruciating loss changed my parents forever. It turned my extended family away from God. I grew up wondering what my life would be like if it hadn’t been marked by such immense, intrusive grief.
“How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?”
(Psalm 13:2 NLT)
The Impact of Grief
Throughout the formative years of my life, I was a spiritual orphan – unsure if I should hate God or be grateful to Him for my miraculous life. I resented, primarily on behalf of my parents, hearing platitudes that Christians used when children, or babies in particular, passed away.
“God needed another angel!”
“He is in a better place!”
“At least you have another child!”
I watched my parents navigate life and loss … not as a participant in their grief but as a distant observer. I watched them go to the cemetery and release baby blue balloons on Casey’s birthdays – they never missed one. I watched them retreat into themselves as the week of his passing approached every year. Even though it had been 10, 15, 20 years … the grief was still deep, tangible, and profound.
“For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing.”
(Psalm 31:10 KJV)
The Hope in Our Grief
Despite the gravity of this loss, it wasn’t always sad. Anger at God turned into dependence on Him. Isolation turned into helping others through their grief. Slowly but surely, this mourning turned into hope. I have experienced this truth of God’s Word, “You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy” (Psalm 30:11 NLT).
Perhaps the most powerful testimony I have witnessed is my parents going from being distant, confused, and stuck in their grief … to giving hope to others who are grieving. They have led grief and loss groups at their church, counseled friends and co-workers, and taken on leadership roles to help the hurting. What a God we have – and what a testimony my parents get to share.
Grief can make you feel like you’re on an island, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The grief experiences of others can make you feel less alone, heard, and seen. Leaning on God and His people can transform a dark-night-of-the-soul kind of experience into a beautiful display of God’s love and grace.
I want to encourage you, if you’re grieving today … bring your tears to Jesus. He weeps with you. He cares for you. He knows the depth of your pain. And He will love you in and through your grief. The Bible says, “I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul” (Psalm 31:7 NLT).
If you need encouragement and reminders from God’s Word, I encourage you to check out our free download on grief and listen to our Hope Talks podcast – see the links below.
If I have learned anything from working at Hope for the Heart for the last five years, it’s that there is hope. There is hope, even in our grief. There is hope, even when it feels distant and elusive. There is always hope.
“There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.”
(Proverbs 23:18)
Helpful Resources for You
Free Download
Download our free resource on grief for practical, biblical guidance and comfort during your healing journey.
Podcasts on Grief
Listen to our Hope Talks episodes 13 and 14 for comforting truths and stories in your season of loss.
Hope Talks: How Aubrey Sampson Found Hope in Christ – Episode 14
Check out our conversation with Aubrey Sampson on how to lament and find hope in despair and grief.
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