Regularity of Grief
If you need help seeing Jesus in the middle of your struggle, or just feel like you are stuck, ready to move into growth and healing, connect with a Christian coach.
Excerpt: Helping Helpers - Session 3
Section: Grief - Regularity of Grief
Speakers: Benji Horning
Equipping Leaders to Address Grief Proactively
If you're a leader who has the opportunity to instruct or teach from a platform, one impactful approach you can take is to talk about grief proactively, not just in times of immediate loss. Equipping and discipling your small group, church, community, or team on how to engage with grief can make a significant difference in how people support each other during difficult times.
Why Teach About Grief Proactively?
Many people may not experience significant loss until later in life, and when they do, they often feel unprepared to handle their own grief or to support others. By discussing grief before it becomes a pressing issue, you can help your community develop a compassionate and sensitive approach to supporting those who are grieving.
Practical Steps for Leaders
Create a Safe Space for Learning:
Introduce the topic of grief in a thoughtful and compassionate manner.
Encourage open discussions about grief and loss, allowing people to share their experiences and feelings.
Educate on What to Say and What Not to Say:
Teach your community the importance of offering presence and support without trying to fix the situation.
Share examples of comforting words and actions, as well as phrases and behaviors to avoid that might unintentionally add to someone's grief.
Provide Resources and Training:
Offer resources such as books, articles, and seminars on grief and loss.
Consider hosting workshops or training sessions with grief counselors or experts who can provide deeper insights and practical tools.
Model Empathy and Compassion:
As a leader, model empathetic behavior in your interactions. Show that it’s okay to grieve and that seeking support is a strength, not a weakness.
Share your own experiences with grief, if appropriate, to help normalize the conversation.
Encourage Ongoing Conversations:
Keep the dialogue about grief and loss open. Make it a recurring topic in your teachings or meetings.
Create support groups or buddy systems where people can connect and support each other through their grief journeys.
The Impact of Proactive Grief Education
By equipping your community with the tools and knowledge to handle grief, you help prevent additional pain that can come from well-meaning but misguided attempts to offer comfort. People who are informed and prepared are more likely to provide meaningful support that honors the grieving process and truly helps those in need.
Sharing Your Learning
The lessons you learn from this course, from your experiences, and from others should be shared with your community. By doing so, you are helping to create a culture of empathy and understanding, where people are better equipped to walk alongside each other through the hardest moments of life.
In conclusion, proactive grief education is a powerful way to build a compassionate community. As a leader, you have the opportunity to shape how your community understands and approaches grief, making a lasting impact on the lives of those you lead.
The Share the Struggle Helping Helpers Course is designed for helpers & leaders both formally (pastors, small group leaders) and informally (family, friends, volunteers), giving a practical and safe framework for coming alongside someone well in the middle of their struggle(s). The Share the Struggle L.E.S.S. (Listen, Explore, Share, Support) framework equips helpers with the tools for active listening, root cause exploration, 3-story discipleship, and when to involve other forms of support. Furthermore, helping helpers walks listeners through the specific considerations and tools for helping someone through anxiety, shame, trauma, miscarriage, pornography addiction, grief, eating disorders, and suicide prevention.
Share The Struggle Courses
Share the Struggle Courses are topical expert led video courses to help you understand life’s greatest struggles and provide you with tools for navigating them. Moreover, STS courses create a space for you to connect with others struggling with similar things, experience belonging, and encounter God’s nearness in a place of wilderness in your life (pain, confusion, healing journey).
What Share The Struggle Believes
Here at Share The Struggle we believe Jesus is present with us in the middle of our pain and mess, and it is in that place that we often experience and encounter Jesus most deeply.
We understand the unique challenges faced by Christians dealing with mental health. Our mission is to bridge the gap between faith and mental health support, providing a platform where individuals can find resources, coaching support and guidance, all tailored to their spiritual life and emotional needs.
We invite you to explore our resources, share your journey, and find the support you need to overcome the struggles you face.
