Grief and Culture

I am writing my blog rather late today because I had to attend to some matters in town and address some urgent operational issues at work. I have now found a little window in my busy schedule to write out my thoughts for the day. A friend of mine in ministry has shared some profound thoughts with me in an email, I hope she will not mind me sharing them today.

"I wonder, however, if much has been said to you concerning something of which I am increasingly aware - the church in the West is good at triumph and joy but rather weak on grief and suffering. You have mentioned the implication that the absence of healing can be seen as a lack of faith, but there is also sometimes a lack of understanding of the reality of emotional pain, and the Christian is sometimes expected to "get over" a loss because we know that death is not the end. Although the sting of death has gone for us, the pain of loss when someone close dies is as real for the Christian as for the unbeliever. Also, you are living through this in the UK and not in your home culture, where the rituals and support systems are so different………."

She went on to add that it is not a surprise that month after a loss when people think they are okay, you are hit so hard.

I really value her thoughts and insight and though I am really hurting now, but am constantly reassured that I know my redeemer lives.

Please do not forget to watch the documentary "The Twins of the Twin Towers", today at 10.35pm on BBC 1.