Comfort for the Day

– 2 – Emotional and Physical Side Effects of Grieving The following sections in this book, “Comfort for Your Emotional Grief” and “Understanding Your Physical Grief,” will support you as you learn about common grief experiences. The fear of the unknown is an added stress that you do not need. Therefore, becoming acquainted with the physical side effects and emotional aspects of grief will help reduce your fear and provide you with a more relaxed state of mind, which promotes healing. Begin Anywhere This book is not a “start-to-finish” book. This is not a coffee table book, or library shelf book. This is not a workbook. This is a safe place to be real with your sorrow. It is an opportunity to encounter God’s comfort and never ending love. It is a book you can open and read in any section to find encouragement, information, and help. It is a book to use. Write in it, draw in it, and jot down notes, poetry, quotes, and favorite memories. Skim through the pages and find a title or section that resonates with your need at the moment. These pages will become your personalized grief recovery story. We believe we never get over the loss, but rather we heal, and our healing progresses throughout the seasons of our lives. Therefore, this book is intended to be useful for as long as you continue to heal and discover the importance of writing to express your process. Write On You might not consider yourself to be a writer. Healing journal work does not require previous writing skills. You have thoughts and feelings. Journaling is just putting those thoughts and feelings on paper. You need no order, structure, or rules. Just write. If you write to God, it is like praying on paper. You can tell Him everything. Pour yourself out on the lined pages of this book. Writing about your feelings clarifies the grief process and helps promote authentic healing. Using this book as a tool is your opportunity to begin your healing that will help you move through your pain. You will find yourself strengthened to face the reality of your varied emotions one day at a time ~ one season at a time.