First Aid for Your Emotional Hurts: Grief: Grief

By Dr. Edward E Moody Jr.

Readers will find words of comfort and hope through practical advice on surviving the difficulties they are facing, and through Scripture and examples from the Bible of those dealing with similar difficulties as well. Details of emotional and physical symptoms are shared as ways to overcome grief. Dr. Moody shares a biblical model for recovery from grief as well as gives appropriate resources available when professional help is needed by giving contact information for those resources. He speaks with a qualified voice to the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs in various situations faced in today's society. The size and price of the book make it a perfect outreach tool that will not overwhelm those who are hurting and need guidance through difficult times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Randall House
• Release date: Jun 29, 2010
• ISBN: 9781614840138

Dr. Edward E Moody Jr.

Edward E. Moody Jr. has been a counselor educator at North Carolina Central University since 1995. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Counselor Education. Moody also serves as pastor of Tippett's Chapel in Clayton, NC. As a minister he has helped people with a variety of difficulties, and as a psychological consultant he has counseled troubled youth. He has a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in counselor education, an M.A. from Middle Tennessee State University in clinical psychology, and a B.A. from Free Will Baptist Bible College in pastoral training. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in NC as well as a Licensed Health Services Provider-Psychological Associate. His first book published was "First Aid for Emotional Hurts - Helping People Through Difficult Times" and has become an excellent resource especially for ministers. Dr. Moody has also published several articles in scholastic journals and serves as a workshop leader for various events within the Christian community and counseling community. He and his wife, Lynne, live in North Carolina, along with their two children.

Book preview

GRIEF

Overcoming Grief and Surviving Trauma

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

There is a time for everything. Unfortunately, that means at some point all of us will have periods where we weep and mourn. Perhaps you are in the midst of grief and trying to find your way out. You have lost a child, a spouse or maybe your parents and you feel like you are drowning in pain. You may wonder if you will ever be better again.

Have you wondered . . .

Why did God let this happen?

Will I ever feel like living again?

Why can’t I get over this?

What is wrong with me?

Why do I feel guilty when I laugh?

In this booklet we will look at biblical examples of people who have experienced grief to show you the way you are responding to your situation may not be all that unusual. We will also examine pertinent research so you will see what you have in common with others who grieve and what they have done to get better. Finally, you will find resources to find help for your particular loss.

I write from a Christian perspective. It is impossible for me or anyone else to fully understand what you are experiencing. I will try to help by drawing on my experience as a pastor and staff psychologist working with people who have experienced terrible tragedy. As a professor I’ve tried to use the latest research to prepare my students to help those who grieve. I hope you will find this information helpful.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

What happened?

It helps to consider the characteristics of the event you have experienced. There are all kinds of ways we can experience a loss, some of these are anticipated while others are unexpected. All of these events are difficult but some are harder to deal with than others. Basically events can be broken down into natural and unnatural and expected and unexpected.¹

Examples of Complicated Losses

Sudden death

Death of a child

Suicide

Murder

Death after a prolonged illness

Terminal Illness

Types of Events

Natural, sometimes anticipated.

These are events that naturally take place and are often expected. Examples include losing your job when you have been watching the industry you work in spiral downward over the years, having a loved one die after a prolonged illness or watching one deteriorate to the point they no longer can care for themselves as with Alzheimer’s. You hoped they would improve but had long realized death or a loss of the ability to care for their self was a possibility. These types of events allow you to anticipate that a negative outcome is possible. If it is an illness you can spend time with and say goodbye to a loved one suffering. However, this type of event involves dread and uncertainty. You may have felt like you were on a rollercoaster. Sometimes believing there would be a positive outcome only to have your hopes dashed at a later time. If the event is an illness, moving from striving for a cure to caring for someone is a major leap.

Natural Disasters, Sometimes Anticipated

Hurricane

Job loss

Death after prolonged illness

Loss of mobility

Alzheimer’s disease

The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them . . . and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you. Job 1:14b-19

Unpredictable, natural disasters.

With this type of event you may begin the day with certain plans