Comfort for the Day

– 3 – Built-up grief is like poison in your system that needs to be released. Express that grief on paper, and your mind and body will begin to heal. As you respond in writing, do not feel that you must fill the entire page. However, once you begin writing, you may surprise yourself. Use the extra pages at the back of the book to continue your journal entries. Your jumbled thoughts scratched out on paper will help the tension subside. Dating your entries may help you as you return to any of the “Comforts” many weeks or months later to record additional thoughts. If you prefer to sketch your thoughts and feelings, by all means use that talent to release your emotions. You will find drawing pages near the end of this book. Men and Journaling ~ Steve’s Perspective Let’s face it men, when it comes to writing our thoughts on paper, there is something that prevents many of us from seeing the value in doing it. If you are among many men who look at journaling as a type of “Dear Diary” then let me assure you it is not. I remember writing my first good-bye letter to my son, not long after he died. I was surprised by the tears that came so easily as I wrote. I was also surprised at how much better I felt after I was finished. It brought a sense of relief. I believe that when men are willing to write we will discover a new way of tapping into our deepest emotions. I have a good friend who has journaled since he was a teen. He explains his journaling experience this way: “Journaling has taken many forms, including; daily notations in a small calendar, written reflections in a pocket New Testament, typing my prayers on my laptop, pouring out my heart to God on paper as I anguished with some life crisis or thorny issue, and making notes on my Outlook Calendar reminding me to pray for others or give thanks to God. Always, writing my thoughts solidifies and often clarifies them for me. Reading them later can inspire me with God’s progressive work in my life. There is something tangible and confirming about reading later what was written with such passion, confusion, frustration or joy. Journaling is simply another way to more clearly listen and speak to God.” Doug Tilstra Men, the fact that you are reading this says you are serious about your grief and healing from your loss. We have so much to gain when we do, and much to lose if we do not track our process through this journey called grief.