With Grief Bites, I hear the worst of the worst of life stories and grief experiences every week.
There are so many who are hurting.
Anytime someone shares a tough life story or grief experience with me, I always ask if they have a trusted family member or friend who encourages them.
So many times, the answer is, “I could never share what I’m going through with my family or friends”…they usually then add, “what would they think?”
I want to encourage anyone reading this to make sure their family and friends are okay…because most of the time, when a loved one struggles, it just doesn’t always show up.
I’ve recently began randomly asking family and friends a very important question — a question I’ve found to be much more important than I realized: “On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you love and enjoy life right now?”
I tell them they don’t need to explain their answer (unless they want to)…and the answers fluctuate between 2 all the way up to 9. I’ll tell you this though: anyone who has said a low number are those who I thought would say a much higher number.
One friend, who was smiling and enjoying coffee with me before I asked the question, looked startled and broke down in quiet tears and replied, “2.” She then added, “I’m barely hanging on by a thread. I have a date written in my calendar to end my life if things aren’t better.”
I realize now how important it is to make sure my family and friends are doing okay.
(By the way, I thank my friend for allowing me to write about her answer and I’m thankful she’s receiving help).
People go through a lot in everyday life…majority unseen:
People just don’t like to air their hurts – the very contents of their heart – or their dirty laundry. People are intensely loyal to family members and they don’t want to appear like they don’t have it all together…so they suffer in silence. There are many around us who aren’t doing so hot, and they really don’t care to disclose what’s happening in their life or behind closed doors…even to their closest loved ones.
The above scenarios are topics I hear frequently …and my heart sure does go out to anyone who is experiencing a tough life event.
If you’re going through a hard time right now, please know there’s hope. Seek out the hope and help you need so you can experience better days. Your best days may not have even happened yet.
Consider what your number is and consider periodically asking your family and friends the important question I shared earlier in this post:
“On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you love and enjoy life right now?”
It’s a good scale to ask ourselves and our loved ones … and it helps us know how we can encourage those we love best.
Gratitude & blessings,
Kim
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1. Grief Bites: Finding Treasure In Hardships: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/912-grief-bites-finding-treasure-in-hardships
2. Grief Bites: Doubt Revealed: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/954-grief-bites-doubt-revealed
3. Grief Bites: A New Approach To Growing Through Grief https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/862-grief-bites
4. Grief Bites: Hope For The Holidays: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1964-grief-bites-hope-for-the-holidays
5. Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: Christmas: http://bible.com/r/3V5
6. Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: Happy New Year!: http://bible.com/r/3Zv
7. Valentine’s Day: Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/14059-valentines-day-experiencing-holidays-with-jesus
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Thank you so much for today’s post. It has been a very difficult month of March with the passing of my mom and father-in-law within 11 days of each other. I can so relate to many of the issues mentioned today. My faith in God’s plan is all that is keeping me going right now. Fortunately, my faith is strong. You will probably never know how many your words have touched. You are definitely bringing glory to God.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your mom and father-in-law…two very tough, heartbreaking losses in such a short time.😢
Praying for you and your family!
Thank you for reading the Grief Bites blog. I’m grateful it has encouraged you!
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