By John Montgomery, Dwell Grief Ministry
On Wednesday, October 7th, the Dwell Grief Ministry will offer a workshop entitled Navigating the Loss of a Spouse. It will be from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm and will be on Zoom.
This event allows people in the local community to be aware of the kind of practical care they can receive from our fellowship. This can be a great opportunity to reach out to your friends, neighbors, and family members who are in grief. If someone you know would benefit from this workshop, please consider inviting them and coming with them for support.
When your spouse dies, your world changes. One minute you are married; the next you are single, alone, and grieving. The person who would normally help you through difficult times is no longer there for support.
You may feel numb, brokenhearted, confused, or anxious. You may feel guilty for being the one who is still alive or relieved that your spouse is no longer suffering if a long-term illness was involved. You might even feel angry at your spouse for leaving you, disappointed in God for not preventing the death, and/or resentful toward the doctors who provided treatment to your spouse. You may cry a lot or a little or not at all. Dealing with the intense emotions, the significant life changes, and the many practical considerations that accompany the death of a spouse, can make you feel overwhelmed and uncertain about your future.
Find help at the Navigating the Loss of a Spouse Workshop.
The workshop is designed to help grieving spouses receive comfort, encouragement, and practical teaching on dealing with their tremendous loss. It presents a Biblical perspective on grief, suffering, and trust in God. The workshop features practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts, and others who have experienced the unique pain of losing a spouse. Topics discussed include: what to expect in the weeks and months after a death, what to do with surprising emotions, how to handle changing relationships, how to handle the loneliness, what to do with your spouse’s belongings, and how to find the strength to go on.
This event lasts about 90 minutes. There is no cost to attend. Here’s what to expect:
- Video: You’ll view a 20-minute video with encouraging, practical advice from counselors, pastors, and widowed individuals.
- Discussion: You’ll get to talk with other widowed people about what you learned from the video. (There’s no pressure to share!)
- Study articles: You’ll receive several short readings on how to live with grief and eventually rebuild your life.
Please email grief@dwellcc.org to register or if you have additional questions.
Additionally the Dwell Grief ministry offers a 10-week workshop, Navigating your Grief, helping anyone grieving a loved one (not just spouses) find comfort and hope in God’s perspective on their loss. The next session starts Wednesday, January 6th at the 4th Street Pavilion.