15 Minutes of Unpacking Our Grief: Daily Conversations to Support Healing on Your Grief Journey

By Michele Bryant Powell MS CRC

What is one of the first things we do after we have completed a long trip? We unpack and we eventually get back to our lives. If only processing grief were so simple. Just put everything in its tidy little place and resume our lives as normal. However, there is nothing normal about our lives after the devastating death of loved ones. The aftermath of their loss often significantly alters the course of life as we knew it, and it takes some time to accept it all. 15 Minutes of Unpacking Our Grief offers a daily opportunity to unpack our thoughts, process our emotions, and adjust to our circumstances during the grief process. Author Michele Bryant Powell provides authentic transparent insight into her healing journey as she copes with the devastating loss of her husband. Everyone who has lost someone they love will find support in these pages through Michele’s vulnerability and her faith walk on her healing journey. Each day, Michele invites you into her journey to help process through your pain, unpack your grief, and receive hope. She encourages you to keep moving toward your healing like your loved ones would want for you. Let’s take this healing journey together!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638858089

Book preview

Conversation 1

Power Comes with Suffering

As I journeyed with my husband in his battle with stage four cancer, I often took the time to sit with the Lord and pour out my heart. So I was sitting with the Lord this morning because I had all these anxious thoughts running through my mind. I have learned during those times to stop and quietly sit with the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to my heart. When we face our most difficult times in life, it is easy to be overwhelmed with questions about our lives. Did I do something to deserve this? Am I being punished for some random sin from my past? Why am I having to go through this? Have not I been through enough? All the ways we try to rationalize our suffering. When in fact, suffering is a part of our journey in life and with Christ. We fellowship with His suffering and enjoy the power of His resurrection!

Power comes with suffering!

In my suffering, I have realized the power of what Christ has done in my life. I would never know the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide me if it were not for suffering. I would never know the all-sufficiency of God’s grace to protect and keep me in adversity. I would never know how to boldly approach the throne of God to receive grace, help, and mercy in my time of need. My eyes are opened to all the ways God uses others to bless us because of suffering. I am ever grateful for the simple things in life like sitting in silence and holding hands with my love and being fully present. Suffering slows me down, quiets me, causes me to listen, and allows gratitude to erupt in my spirit. For if it had not been for the Lord who was (is) on my side! The fellowship of suffering.

Just sharing morning musings in hopes that you will tap into the power of God’s grace to help us through our sufferings. As you slow down and quiet your heart, I pray that you will reflect on all the ways He is there to meet your need.

Unpacking Moment

Today I choose to be thankful for

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Conversation 2

My Pain Propels Me to the Foot of the Cross

Sitting with the Lord this morning and finding such comfort in Him. I do not know if you have sat quietly with the Lord long enough to sense His overwhelming love for you, but there is nothing in this world that can compare. I have self-medicated my pain and problems in the past before thinking, If I could just not feel anything. When in fact we are designed to feel. Emotions are not meant to be buried or stifled. Nor are they meant to control us. Emotions, whether positive or negative, within balance, can produce healthy responses.

As a believer, my pain propels me to the foot of the cross where I can exchange my burdens for rest in Jesus.

There I find joy and peace on a level I have never known before. There I learn new facets of my Father’s character that were once a mystery to me. There He becomes Jehovah Ropheka, Lord my healer, and He heals the deepest parts of my soul that self-medication cannot reach. There I come away lifted to new heights of intimacy and revelation in Christ that put the cares of this world in perspective. There I am exposed to the profound truth that sets me free. There I come away lighter and stronger. There I find life and life more abundantly. There I am consumed with an agape love so pure and so sweet that suddenly my pain turns to joy! I am complete in Him, and I am victorious once again! Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever!

Sharing my morning musings while sitting with the Lord. My hope is that you will allow your pain to take you to the feet of Jesus. There you will find everything you need to make it through each day.

Unpacking Moment

Today, I need from Jesus.

Conversation 3

He Is Working in Ways We Cannot See

Sitting with the Lord this morning and the Holy Spirit reminded me that He is working in ways that we cannot see. Wow, I had to sit there and ponder that in my heart. So then I started thinking about all the many hands that it takes behind the scenes to pull off a production. They are called stagehands, and it takes quite a few of them working to make sure everything goes smoothly. Sometimes I like to sit through the credits of movies and read the long list of jobs and people that it took to make the movie a reality. Then I thought about the almighty hand of God in the reality of my life. I can recall the many times that His hand has tangibly intervened in my life. I have seen His hand at work in my life answering my prayers. But then I thought about the many times that His hand has worked behind the scenes of my life in ways I could not see at the time. His hand has calmed raging storms. His hand has protected me from my own selfish desires. His hand has gently guided me to a better way. His hand has commanded an army of angels to go to war in the heavenlies on my behalf. His hand has shielded me from the arrows of my enemies. His hand has held me up when I would have fallen. Even now, I believe that His hand is working behind the scenes of our lives, bringing signs, wonders, and miracles to fruition in His time. So this morning, I will not limit His hand’s work in my life to what only my eyes can see or what my finite mind can conceive.

Today I will rest in the assurance from the Holy Spirit that He is working in ways that I cannot see in this reality of our lives.

For I would have fainted had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Glory to God!

Sharing my morning musings while sitting with the Lord! Be encouraged that His hand is working in ways you cannot see in the reality of your life today! Praise Him!

Unpacking Moment

A time when I have witnessed God’s hand at work through my grief

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Conversation 4

Hold On to Things Loosely

Sitting with the Lord this morning. Listening to Him talk to me