As the years go by, I feel as if I can continue with my life. I try to take one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. It does get easier, time does gradually heal, but there still remains: memories. Memories worth remembering. I want to hold on to the memories, relive the good times and even endure the pain. This way I won’t forget, the memory of my loved one lives on and the healing process continues. In short, I don’t want to forget! Although, seven years have passed, I still love and miss my loved one. I know deep in my heart that there are others who feel the same way; so, do we have to forget in order to heal? No we do not!
God has left us an account of people before us who endured, loss, challenges, heartache, pain and grief. He gave us this beautiful account because He knew we too would go through our own challenges and hardships. And what more do we need when we are going through these challenging times, than people with whom we can identify. The bible offers many instances where we can heal, encourage ourselves and identify with someone else. Job is a prime example of someone who suffered extreme loss. “Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales” Job 6:2.
Jesus himself dealt with loss during His time on earth. He mourned the loss of his friend Lazarus “Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb.” John 11: 38a. In addition, he had to face his own impending death. Can you imagine what it must have been like to KNOW that you are about to die. How He must have agonized, felt alone and inwardly struggled. “…and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death”. Matthew 28: 37b- 38. As Christians we need to accept that we will grieve and go through challenges until we ourselves transition to eternity. We never “get over” the loss but we learn to live with it. God has promised we do not have to go it alone. With His help we can build a life around the loss we have suffered, build character and our faith. With time we may heal but never forget.