Missional Women
  • Home
    • Free Printables
    • About >
      • God
      • The Ministry
      • Master Plan Ministries {College Students}
      • Bible Study Resources
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • Featured At
      • Rules, Disclosure & Privacy
    • Resources >
      • Bible Study Journals
      • Free Printables
      • Bible Study Recommendations
      • Reviews
      • Videos
      • App
    • Missional Women Equipping
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
    • Free eBooks >
      • Ministry Resources for Women eBook
      • Leading Effective Bible Studies
      • Missional Life Book
    • Missional Women Bible Studies >
      • The Book of John Video Series
      • 1st Samuel {Beholding Him, Becoming Missional}
      • Judges {A Devotional Journey through Judges}
    • Giant Blog Hop Link Ups List
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build} >
        • Foundations
      • Living Missionally {Send}
      • Ministry Resources for Women
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
    • Faith Filled Friday Blog Link Up
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • Prints
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • Women's Ministry Training
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
    • Discover God's Calling Course
  • Store
  • Retreat
  • Subscribe
Picture

How to Love Like Jesus: Supporting the Grieving {Part 1}

5/21/2015

10 Comments

 
Picture
The past seven years have been full of tragedy, suffering, and loss. I lost a husband to death at 24. I have lost babies to miscarriage and have experienced failed adoption. Most recently my dad passed away in December. And I am currently grieving the loss of the life I knew and loved after a move from Orlando to Houston.

But I am not unique. I know you have experienced your own grief and sadness. That is the story of life on this side of Heaven. When we look at the lives of those and scripture we see clearly these same threads. Even Jesus promised that “in this world you will have trouble.”

But how should we live when we’re in a place of peace? When there’s a season where trouble seems to be at bay? How do we live missionally when tragedy, suffering, and loss are at our neighbor’s door? The following thoughts were impressed in my heart throughout the early days and weeks of grieving my dad’s death.

How to Love Like Jesus:

Act. Do something. Anything. Send a text. Write a card. Drop off a gift on the person's doorstep. But whatever you do, refuse to do nothing. (Usually your initial gut response is the perfect place to start no matter how small it seems.)

Act quickly. I had a wonderful community surrounding me after the passing of my dad but many of them did not act swiftly. It was at least a week before we began receiving meals, cards, etc. That time period of not receiving active visual signs of love and care made an already difficult season more painful.

Act without invitation. Healthy relationships require the individuals involved to express their needs from time to time for the relationship to thrive. Seasons of grief can be the exception to this. Oftentimes the grieving person is not fully aware of or cannot clearly articulate their needs.

Act continually. A grieving person needs a lot of support in the days and weeks following a loss. But oftentimes after the funeral when everyone else's life normalizes, the grieving person often feels forgotten. They are just  beginning to adjust to a new normal and will continually need support in the months and years ahead. Something as simple as sending a card once a month or dropping off coffee reminds them they aren't alone.

Romans 12:15 sums these action points up well, “mourn with those who mourn.”

I’d love to hear how you support the grieving or have been supported through grief in the comments below.

(Part 2 coming next month with practical ideas for meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through grief.)

Picture

About Joy

Picture
Joy is a Florida girl currently living in Houston with her husband, Jason, and drool covered Bassett Hound, Sam. She has a degree in Church Leadership. She teaches women how to intersect their faith and life through intentional missional living at joybrudolph.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.

Sharing this over at these awesome blogs
10 Comments
Momo link
5/26/2015 08:04:17 am

A wonderful article. Great, concise advise, I love it. You encourage me to act swiftly when I hear of a need. I usually take a meal or just go and sit and listen. It is so important to act and not let our schedules dictate Jesus working through us. Thank you for joining Titus 2 Tuesday!

Reply
Joy B. Rudolph link
5/26/2015 10:54:29 am

Momo, sitting and listening is such a great ministry.

"It is so important to act and not let our schedules dictate Jesus working through us." Love this!

Reply
Alyssa Marie Thys link
5/26/2015 09:13:15 am

Great post! Thank you for your thoughts. This is an area that I know I need to grow in.

Reply
Joy B. Rudolph link
5/26/2015 10:55:16 am

Thank you for reading, Alyssa.

Reply
Jodi link
5/26/2015 04:05:12 pm

I think you are so right! It's always good to respond, reach out, and do something! Dropping by to pray, or getting a card or devotional gift, remembering the loved one and speaking of him/her; those are ways I love on those that are grieving in my community.

Reply
Joy B. Rudolph link
5/27/2015 04:50:07 am

Great ideas, Jodi. I'm you bless those who are grieving so much.

Reply
Jennifer Camp link
5/27/2015 03:25:13 am

Joy, I so appreciate your vulnerability and openness about something that is so often not discussed. It is good and powerful. Thank you.

Reply
Joy B. Rudolph link
5/27/2015 04:50:55 am

Jennifer, you so very welcome. And thank you for your encouraging words.

Reply
April link
5/27/2015 07:12:22 am

Great points-I think a lot of people fail to act because they don't really know what to do. But, if we act and not expect anything in return, that's the best place to start-with SOMETHING.

Reply
Joy B. Rudolph link
5/27/2015 08:57:26 am

Absolutely, April. The key is to take action.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    New here? Head on over to the Home page to see what we're all about. 


    2 Free eBooks for Subscribers 

    Picture
    Picture
    Get your FREE copies.

    Subscribe
    ​

    Picture


    Popular Posts

    Picture
Missional Women a ministry of Master Plan Ministries
 
Contact
Newsletter
  • Home
    • Free Printables
    • About >
      • God
      • The Ministry
      • Master Plan Ministries {College Students}
      • Bible Study Resources
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • Featured At
      • Rules, Disclosure & Privacy
    • Resources >
      • Bible Study Journals
      • Free Printables
      • Bible Study Recommendations
      • Reviews
      • Videos
      • App
    • Missional Women Equipping
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
    • Free eBooks >
      • Ministry Resources for Women eBook
      • Leading Effective Bible Studies
      • Missional Life Book
    • Missional Women Bible Studies >
      • The Book of John Video Series
      • 1st Samuel {Beholding Him, Becoming Missional}
      • Judges {A Devotional Journey through Judges}
    • Giant Blog Hop Link Ups List
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build} >
        • Foundations
      • Living Missionally {Send}
      • Ministry Resources for Women
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
    • Faith Filled Friday Blog Link Up
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • Prints
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • Women's Ministry Training
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
    • Discover God's Calling Course
  • Store
  • Retreat
  • Subscribe