“Triumph Over Grief” by Guest Writer: Betty Predmore

Loss … it kicks you in the gut, takes your breath away, and leaves you in what often feels like the bottom of a dark pit.

Grief is hard to explain and difficult to imagine until it smacks you in the face. The shock, the pain, the regret, and the utter sorrow can lead us down a scary trail if we don’t find hope and help.

I have walked through such grief and loss. I have been at the bottom of the pit, thinking I would never see light again. 

I have also selfishly held onto my pain when others were there to share it with me. I wanted it all to myself. It was the last little piece of my loved one that I had, and it was mine.

I lost my dad a few years ago. He had been living with my family for about four years prior to his death, and we were so close. He was the best granddaddy to my little ones, and we would spend hours talking about the good ole days or about what we were writing, respectively.

My dad was my constant source of advice and my built-in book editor. He was my encourager and my biggest fan. And I was his.

His passing left me lost, wondering what I was going to do and who I was going to be without him. 

Who would cheer me towards my next book?

Who would listen to my fears and frustrations?

Who would share the stories of my family with me?

Who would trust me with those things closest to their heart?

Grief has been a battle for me…a huge battle. I have battled back from complete desperation. Step by step I have won the victory over the bondage of my grief.

Grief doesn’t have to hold us captive. We are not required to fall into that tumultuous pit of despair. There is One who will carry us through our weakness and despondence. 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 ESV

God is our comfort in our times of sorrow. How blessed we are that He walks alongside us, offering us his comfort and pouring compassion into our hearts.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 ESV

God is our healer. He is the great surgeon who knows just how to treat us so that our hearts began to heal, and that huge rip begins to grow back together. 

The key element to finding healing and hope in God is to call on him when you are wading through your sorrow, knee-deep and feeling stuck.

BETTY PREDMORE

When we cry out to God, he hears our call for help. He reaches out his hands of comfort and holds us tight. He holds us while we cry out our sorrow, and he holds us while we piece our life back together.

When I wake up every day, my dad is still gone. But I have found my joy again by trusting God to carry me. Some days I cry for no reason. Other days I laugh about a sweet and funny memory. 

But always, my dad lives on in my heart. He continues through my countless memories. Through the features of my children, I see his face. He is often found in the words I write.

So, while he may not be present with me, sitting there with his cup of coffee and his endearing grin, he is with me always. And I have come to this place of peace and comfort because my Father in heaven is also with me always. 

It is through him, and his mighty love and comfort, that I have found joy through my pain, smiles through my tears, and happiness through my suffering.

If you are walking through grief right now, please know that I understand. I get it.  Also, please know that God gets it too. He understands how you feel. He wants to be your source of comfort and hope. His desire is to bring you peace through knowing how loved and precious you are.

Call on him. Bow your heart and ask for his comfort, for his hope, for his peace. It may come in waves, and there may be days you feel the lingering sorrow, but you can rest assured that he is with you and his hand of protection is over you.

God is the true source of triumph over our grief.

Betty Predmore has written two devotionals, Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace. She has contributed to several collaborative book compilations and written for numerous Christian magazines and blogs. Betty is a wife and mother of seven including biological and adopted children. (Family is the fodder for many of her entertaining stories.) She is also Grammie to some sweet little ones.  Betty enjoys spending time with her people, her books, and Jesus.

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Purpose Driven Women and Gift of Thorns. While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days. Connect with Betty at http://www.momsenseinc.org and http://www.bettypredmore.com.

We thank you, Betty, for your contribution to this publication of TitusTwo.com and for sharing your heart on the topic of grief.

You are loved to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary