Friend, do you know that the Lord is also the Lord of our memory and He can heal our painful memories?
Here is a sneak peek of my guest post at incourage.me sharing my story of emotional healing on the grief journey.
The Journey of Healing
“How are you doing after the death of your husband? Do you feel better?”
I am sitting across from my friend who I haven’t seen in years — and this is the first question she asks me. I pause before I answer . . . and am a little surprised by my own words.
“The second year is much better than the first,” I say. “I have more good days than bad, and I’ve gotten used to bearing the pain and living with the loss.”
Somehow, behind the scenes, God started healing me of the terrible loss I suffered, a loss from which I thought I would never recover. Back home, I thought about all the signs of comfort and healing that God has brought into my life.
Remember to pin me for later!
The Lord of Our Memory
One of the most striking signs of healing has to do with my memory. In the beginning, after I lost Thomas, my husband, I could not see any photos of him. Tears welled up in my eyes and a sharp, cutting pain — that I could not bear — stabbed through my chest whenever I saw his face in a photo.
But God is faithful. In the months that followed, God used photos on Facebook Memories and Google Timeline to help me express my grief and find an outlet for it. It was a slow progression; one that, at first, just brought pain and reminded me of my longing for my husband’s presence. Then, after some time passed, the photos began evoking a mixture of feelings. There was still a sharp pain, but there was also a string of happy thoughts and thankfulness for these particular memories.
Then, in the second year after his passing, there was a reversal — less pain and more joy — when I remembered those good moments captured in photos. I even started deliberately scrolling through our photo albums, especially when I desperately missed Thomas and our life together.
In and through this loss, God has shown Himself as the Lord and healer of my memory.
Read the rest of the post at incourage.me and be strengthened and encouraged.
Find More Comfort in These Books
Friend, if you are in a season of grief and pain, you may also want to check my “BOOK OF COMFORTS”.
In this book you’ll find comfort when you struggle with unmet expectations, disillusionment in faith, when you are in a season of pain, when your hope diminishes, when life gets hard, and much more. Reflection questions and a guided prayer follow each devotion.
Additionally, I can recommend highly these books. They have helped me tremendously in processing my grief. Check them out.
Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu
The Grief Guidebook: Common Questions, Compassionate Answers, Practical Suggestions by Gary Roe
Widowed Walk: Experiencing God After the Loss of a Spouse by Gary Roe
Comfort for the Grieving Spouse’s Heart: Hope and Healing After Losing Your Partner by Gary Roe
A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss by Jerry L. Sittser
A Grace Revealed: How God Redeems the Story of Your Life by Jerrry L. Sittser
Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
What do you need God to bring into the painful places of your heart and memory? Share in the comments. If you found this post helpful, share it on social media to bless others. Thank you!
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In and through the loss, God has shown Himself as the Lord and healer of my memory. @incourage #healing #memory #encouragement Share on X
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This is just such an amazing testament to your determination and faith! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Kristen! Christmas blessings to you!
This is one of the most powerful posts I’ve read in so long. It’s easy to forget that God can redeem our memories and heal us as we walk through grief and difficult memories. I’m so grateful for your insight into this topic today, trusted friend!
Thanks so much for your uplifting words, dear friend! I am happy the post resonated with you. Christmas blessings to you!
Hadassah, grief is so tricky. It comes in waves, and when something triggers it, it can be like our grief slapped us on the face again. The only way around is through it or ignoring your grief can wreak more havoc. Endorse yourself for allowing your grief to heal by sitting with it.
Thanks so much for your wise words, Julie! You are so right – grief comes in waves and one never knows what can trigger it. Yes, we need not ignore grief but express it and process it in healthy ways. Blessings!
I love how you expressed your thoughts about about the Lord being the Lord of our memory also. He healed and can deliver from painful and hurting memories. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Ufuoma! Yes, He can and He heals our painful memories too. Blessings to you!
I love the reflection about how the Lord is the Lord of our Memory. I lost my mother in 2021, and like you, I am in year two of my grief, so I found your post very relatable. I am amazed at how God has comforted me during this time, and now, I am going to pray specifically about healing for any painful memories. Thanks for this encouraging post
Thanks so much, Sandra! I am so sorry for your loss but also encouraged by your testimony of how God has comforted you. Blessings to you!
Hadassah, this is so beautiful. I love that God is the Lord of our memory. I feel this way when I look at pictures of my mom and dad who have passed. The pain was life-altering and so is the joy and love that God gives us for them. Now my memories of them are love and joy. Thank you for showing why and how this happens.
Thanks so much, Deborah, for sharing your experience! I find it very encouraging when you say that now your memories of your parents are love an joy. This gives me hope. Blessings!
Grief is an emotion that seems to have no time limit. I found that there is an understanding and clarity that comes with time. Many times we don’t recognize these things as gifts from God.
Thanks, Angel! You are so right! Yes, grief will accompany us our whole life. But grief can be also a blessing when it helps us draw closer to God.
I always appreciate your honesty about your loss and struggles. Yes, God is the Lord of everything, including our memories. I’m so grateful. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Lisa! I hope sharing my grief journey with the Lord will encourage and comfort many. Blessings!
What a thoughtful and reflective post. He truly is the God of our memory, and He brings to our remembrance certain things for certain times — I believe in the same way, He can heal our memory so we can work through things and dwell on the positive things. Your loss is so deep, but His love so much deeper. May He continue to bring you peace, and help you through the memories.
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words, friend! Yes, it is true: my loss is deep and big but His love is deeper and bigger. I hope I can continue to dwell on His love and pursue His healing. Blessings to you!