August 22 2015

Another way to find hope during the grief journey is to look for it. Kent Ira Groff, a pastor, spiritual director, author and retreat leader describes change and loss as the two-sided coin of transition. In other words, when you’re going through a transition, you’ll experience both changes and loss. When you’re concentrating on the change, you forget the loss underneath that is a part of it as well. For example, being excited about a new job but forgetting about the connections you may be losing. And when you’re overwhelmed by the loss, you forget the opportunity for change and growth that is on the underside of the coin. For example, when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, you may forget to look for the growth that is occurring in you, because of course, you’d rather just have your loved one back. Kent describes the gift as the precious metal between the two sides of the coin – your ability to be resilient through the transition.  Looking for the gift in the transition will help you find hope, healing and wholeness.