8 Suggestions for Grieving Together as a Family
The apostle Paul knew that believers can be different in personality, expectations, past wounds and experiences, and how they express themselves, so he provided helpful instruction for how to maintain unity. I find his instruction especially helpful when it comes to the different ways family members grieve.
In Philippians 2, he told believers to make his joy complete by “being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (verse 2). Then he added this helpful instruction in verse 3: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves.” That advice is contrary to what the world or most counselors will tell you today. It’s natural when each of us is hurting to can think of our own needs first, instead of following biblical wisdom to “consider one another as more important than yourselves.” Yet, nothing hurts more than grieving the one who has died, in addition to grieving lost relationships with those who are still alive. Consider unity and harmony with one another as more important than having your expectations immediately met when it comes to your own healing. The devil seeks to divide and destroy, but the Spirit of God helps us in our weaknesses and can give us discernment in how to be a peacemaker and bring people together. The Holy Spirit is, after all, our counselor and helper, and can help us when we are truly trying to help others heal as well.
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