Archive for the ‘How to help grievers’ Category
Tuesday, August 15th, 2017
Grief is messy and confusing. It’s all-consuming. And it’s unlike anything else you’ve been through. Here’s where the ‘U’ word comes in. When the ‘U’ word is missing grievers suffer, and their loved ones do, too. (more…)
Tags: help with grief, how to help grievers, misunderstandings about grief, understanding grief, what to expect, why understanding matters
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | 2 Comments »
Friday, July 28th, 2017
The ‘J’ word that devastates grievers is something you probably would not intentionally do. But you might unconsciously allow it to sneak in and influence what you think, do, or say. (more…)
Tags: appearances are deceptive, breaks from grief, grief and shame, judging devastates grievers, relief during grief, smiles are okay
Posted in Coping with Grief, Effects of Grief, Emotions, How to help grievers, Stunned by Grief | 2 Comments »
Monday, October 3rd, 2016

This one should be pretty easy to figure out. The ‘O’ word that hits grievers is a common reaction to grief. (more…)
Tags: attitude and grief, don't be a victim in grief, grieving process, relieving stress in grief, surviving versus thriving after loss, what you do in grief, when you're overwhelmed
Posted in Adjustments, Attitude, Changes, Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Effects of Grief, Emotions, How to help grievers, Stunned by Grief | Comments Off on The ‘O’ Word that Hits Grievers—and What to Do about It
Monday, July 18th, 2016

How many of us have wondered, “Is there a shortcut through grief?” – and desperately wished that somehow, some way, we’d discover that quicker way. (more…)
Tags: changes with grief, grief is a heart issue, living with grief, new normal, no escape from grief, shortcut through grief
Posted in Changes, Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, How to help grievers, Shortcut through grief, Stunned by Grief | 2 Comments »
Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
By Judy Brizendine
For once, let’s forget about dancing around the bush – or being politically correct. Let’s agree not to sweep the truth under the rug and stay silent. If you’ve faced a major loss, you know the truth. Grief is hard.
Even grief professionals are sometimes surprised and overwhelmed when they face a profound personal loss. (more…)
Tags: coping with grief, finding a way through grief, grief changes, grief is hard, grief is normal, setting your mind
Posted in Coping with Grief, Effects of Grief, Emotions, How to help grievers, Response to tragedy, Stunned by Grief | 3 Comments »
Monday, April 13th, 2015
By Judy Brizendine
I recently received a note from a reader asking me a question and suggesting a topic to write about. And then she went on to tell me her story. She has been facing a deep loss in her life over the past year or more. Silence from friends is painful. Being ignored (and considered invisible) is devastating. (more…)
Tags: being ignored is devastating, how to help a griever, importance of listening, insensitivity toward grievers, reaching out to a griever, silence from friends is painful
Posted in Coping with Grief, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, March 11th, 2015
By Judy Brizendine
People have asked me this question enough times that I thought it deserved some attention: “Are Christians supposed to grieve?” Confusion even leads some Christians to feel guilty when they do grieve and to question the strength of their faith.
Let’s set the record straight up front. (more…)
Tags: Christians and grief, guilt and grief, misunderstandings about grief, peace, unresolved grief
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Effects of Grief, Emotions, How to help grievers, Stunned by Grief | 4 Comments »
Saturday, October 25th, 2014
By Judy Brizendine
Max and Molly were inseparable. They spent their entire lives together – until Molly became sick with an incurable form of cancer. Soon afterward we had to put her to sleep. Then Max was alone, without his sister, for the first time. And surprisingly, Max our cat taught me something about grief.
(more…)
Tags: coping with grief, effects of grief, grief and animals, how to help a griever
Posted in Animals, Coping with Grief, Effects of Grief, Emotions, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Response to tragedy, Stunned by Grief | 2 Comments »
Friday, August 15th, 2014
By Judy Brizendine
After reading and hearing countless comments about the death of Robin Williams, once again it’s clear that a great lack of understanding surrounds grief, loss, and related issues. Even though the intent of most people is to provide comfort and support, they can inadvertently say something that’s hurtful or damaging.
(more…)
Tags: grief is misunderstood, how to help grievers, senseless hurtful comments to grievers, suicide and mental illness, understanding grief, what not to say to grievers, what to say to grievers
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief, What to say to grievers | 4 Comments »
Pause and Think Twice Before You Speak to Someone Who Is Grieving
Friday, August 15th, 2014After reading and hearing countless comments about the death of Robin Williams, once again it’s clear that a great lack of understanding surrounds grief, loss, and related issues. Even though the intent of most people is to provide comfort and support, they can inadvertently say something that’s hurtful or damaging.
(more…)
Tags: grief is misunderstood, how to help grievers, senseless hurtful comments to grievers, suicide and mental illness, understanding grief, what not to say to grievers, what to say to grievers
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief, What to say to grievers | 4 Comments »