Throughout my career I have had the distinct opportunity to walk with many people through seasons of grief. In addition, I personally have experienced my own seasons of grief at the passing of both of my parents. I have discovered that while the grief emotions we all feel may be the same, each person’s experience is always different.

Each month, I will be sharing with you some steps you can take to successfully prepare for and endure seasons of grief that will help bring you into a new period of personal and emotional growth and gain. The most important step in overcoming grief is to first recognize and acknowledge that we will all go through seasons of grief at various stages in our life.

Seasons of grief are inevitable; when we lose someone or something dear to us, it is painful.  People assume that grieving means we are weak, but it is a natural and normal emotion that we all will experience.  How we chose to handle our seasons of grief can show us just how strong we are, if we handle our grief in a positive and productive manner. If there is only one thing you remember from this article, remember that through grief comes hope. Hope for a new tomorrow, a new future, a new “normal” filled with many new memories and experiences. No, things will never be as they were, but they do not have to be as bad as we think they might be.

When you think about it, our lives are not remembered by the years we have lived, but rather the seasons we have experienced; some we choose, some are chosen for us. Some are seasons of celebration, some are seasons of sorrow. Each “good” season is replaced by a “difficult” season, each “difficult” season is erased by a “good” season. If you are experiencing a season of grief right now, take comfort that this season will not last forever.

No, we might not choose to go through a season of grief, however, we also should not fear it or deny it. If ignored, it can leave us in a very dark and vulnerable state. The best way we can combat grief is to prepare for it before it happens and develop tools and techniques now what will be useful when we grieve.

Seasons of grief can be very tough and tricky to navigate, especially if you are trying to do that by yourself. While grief may be a personal journey, you are not expected to take this journey on your own. Amazing Care Network offers very useful and effective tools and resources that will assist you with the seasons and decisions that you are facing for both yourself and your loved ones. Remember to get involved, be proactive, don’t hide from grief but face it head on, and know that I am always here to walk with you through your seasons in life.

About Pastor Kevin Yriarte:

Kevin Yriarte is the Founding and Senior Pastor of Journey of Faith Church located in Covina, California. He also serves as the Chaplain for the La Verne Police Department and has done so for the past 7 ½ years.

In his various roles as a pastor, chaplain, and his prior experience in the medical arena, Mr. Yriarte has gained a wealth of knowledge, experience, education and training in the fields of grief, bereavement, hospice care and other areas related to the unexpected events that occur in life.