By If you’ve ever walked through deep loss, you’ve probably asked yourself an aching question:
“Shouldn’t I be further along by now?”
From listening to people who’ve endured the unimaginable, I’ve learned that grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and healing doesn’t respond to pressure.
My friend Rick Manis lost his wife and daughter within ten years. Out of that came one of the most freeing truths he ever shared with me:
Grief isn’t a lack of faith; it’s evidence that you loved deeply.
Still, knowing that doesn’t take away all the pain.
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the tears, it’s the guilt that whispers, “You’re not supposed to feel this way. Christians are supposed to be stronger.”
That’s where the enemy slips in. He tells you your tears make you weak, your sadness disqualifies you, your questions offend God.
Don’t believe it.
Rick described seasons where he didn’t know who he was anymore. Didn’t know what his future held. Didn’t even know if he’d make it through.
What carried him forward wasn’t pretending to be okay. It was a quiet, stubborn confidence that God is good.
So good, in fact, that as Rick walked through the valley of grief, he never felt rushed. He never felt shamed. He felt met—and carried—by the Comforter.
Friend, if you’re grieving something today, hear this: You’re not failing; you’re healing.
And healing looks different for everyone.
God isn’t rushing you through it. He’s with you, and He’s good.
By the way, my full conversation with Rick Manis on “grieving with grace” is one of five messages in my Strong in the Struggle series. It’s not about pushing harder. It’s about finding peace in the life you didn’t plan and leaning on God’s grace when things aren’t changing. Get all 5 messages today for your donation of any amount.