When a loved one dies

Life ends in death. Hebrew 9:27 says it is appointed unto man once to die and after death comes judgement.

What is death? Death is a separation of the soul from the body. When someone dies, the sound which is the being departs from the body (soul's covering). Life is series of interactions between parents, siblings, friends, various groups etc. While going through life, we have people we bond to by blood, friendship, contract and also marriage. Some of these bonds are out of mutual love. When death happens to any of these people, it leaves us with so much sorrow and grief.

What is Grief? All who have lost a loved one can relate to David's great grief; a grief so huge that the joy of victory in battle was turned to a national day of mourning. (2samuel 19:2). Grief knows no boundaries. It strikes Kings and paupers, parents and children, Christians and non-christians. No one is exempted not even the son of God who wept at the tomb of his dear friend Lazarus (John 11:35). Since death brings grief, the one mourning then needs help.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES?

1. Do not hold back the grief: one who has lost a loved one has every right to anguish or any other emotion that occurs even anger. Release whatever you feel. Do not bottle it up. Realizing he effects of grief is helpful to those who mourn. People grief in different ways. It could displayed as crying, restlessness, depression even loss of appetite, shortness of breath and headaches are also accompanying effects of grieving but do not let that stop you. You just lost someone so dear, please grief.
2. Move on: the sooner one returns to a semblance of work or activities, the sooner one begins to focus on healing. This is a hard step to take but it is imperative one takes this steps. Time shall come when the condolence visits will end and you will be hit with the harsh reality that you have indeed lost someone. This is the time to turn inward rather than outward. You are your best encourager. There shall be anniversaries reactions but only you can determine how well you handle it.
3. Rely on Compassionate Friends or Existing Support groups. Being with others who have experienced deep grief has a known ameliorative effect and can make all the difference in recovery.
4. Remember there is hope. The gift of being reunited with our loved ones was purchased by Jesus Christ (Romans 6:20). Let every Christian strive to reunite with loved ones in heaven. When you grief, do not grief like someone who has no hope of ever seeing your loved ones again.

HOW DO YOU HELP SOMEONE WHO HAS LOST A LOVED ONE?

Those who console should learn to beware of offensive behavior. Avoid saying things to mourners that do not add up. Some statements offered to a grieving person may be true but not comforting. The one grieving feels pain, do not make it worse. The trouble with grief is not the permanency of the loss but the continuing pain from thoughtless consolers.
Sometimes, the best thing to say is nothing. Silence is golden when you have nothing worthwhile to offer after all people grieving do not remember much of what is said but they will remember that you came.
When a person acts differently because of grief, it certainly does not good to increase the stress by admonishing the mourner of what seems to be an inappropriate behaviour under normal circumstances. Let those who grief discuss the one departed at their own time and peace. It is always helpful to leave them to empty their mind. In so doing, they may give in to tears. Allow them. There is no shame in tears.
Do not be too official or flippant in your statements. Moderation and tact ate required.

CONCLUSION
When a loved one dies, unanswered questions abound because it is extremely difficult to accept. Let us learn to handle the situation well, knowing also that death s a debt we all have to pay someday.

Post created and written by @zizymena, edited and posted by @camzy

Image used was gotten from PIXABAY