Holding Grief and Joy: Learning to Live With Loss

What does it look like to keep living when someone—or something—you love is no longer there?

Grief doesn't follow a straight line. It doesn't simply disappear with time, and missing someone doesn't mean you're lacking faith.

In this episode of Made to Pray, Karrilee revisits grief six months after the loss of her sister, sharing honestly about what she's learning in the space between deep loss and continuing to live the life God has given her.

We talk about giving ourselves permission to feel what we're feeling, the very real effects grief can have on our minds and bodies, the importance of community and support, and what it means to trust God when the outcome of our prayers wasn't what we hoped for. 

We also talk about the hope of heaven, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and learning to hold grief and joy at the same time—not pretending the loss doesn't hurt, but not believing that experiencing joy again somehow betrays what or who we've lost.

And then, as always, we pray.

We pray for those who are grieving a loved one, but also for those experiencing other kinds of loss—the loss of a friendship, a job, a dream, a career, an opportunity, or a life that didn't turn out the way they expected. 

We ask the Holy Spirit to draw near to the brokenhearted, bring comfort where there are no words, remind us that we are never alone, and begin to restore hope and joy in the places that feel empty.

Because grief and faith can coexist.

Grief and joy can coexist.

You can miss someone deeply and still trust God.

And you can allow yourself to live fully in the days you've been given while carrying love—and loss—with you.

If you're grieving today, we hope you'll come pray with us.

 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  

Books:
GriefShare Workbook (to go through in a GriefShare Support group)
Within Heaven's Gates by Rebecca Springer
Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Echoes of Love
Pretty Painful Grief Letters
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

Instagram Profiles that talk about Grief:
@andthatsgrief
@brendanshawgrief
@misterpjm
@prettypainfulgriefbook
  (+ many more!)

✨ Made to Pray

Made to Pray is a Christian podcast where we have honest conversations that lead you back to God through biblical encouragement, practical faith, and prayer.

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