Saturday, May 25, 2019
Dear Dooley Family: Attached are some helpful suggestions for surviving such a personal loss......
1: ACCEPT SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS
According to your needs, balance time spent with others and time spent alone.
Bible Principle: “Two are better than one . . . For if one of them falls, the other can help his partner up.”—Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10.
2: WATCH YOUR DIET, AND MAKE TIME FOR EXERCISE
Eat healthful food, drink plenty of water, and exercise moderately.
Bible Principle: “No one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it.”—Ephesians 5:29, NET Bible
3: GET PLENTY OF SLEEP
Recognize that sleep is essential to dealing with the fatigue of grieving.
Bible Principle: “Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind.”—Ecclesiastes 4:6.
4: BE FLEXIBLE
Since everyone grieves differently, find what works for you.
Bible Principle: “Each heart knows its own bitterness.”—Proverbs 14:10, New International Version.
5: AVOID SELF-DESTRUCTIVE HABITS
Avoid the misuse of alcohol or drugs—which creates more problems than it solves.
Bible Principle: “Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement.”—2 Corinthians 7:1.
6: BALANCE YOUR TIME
Alternate periods of grieving with time for socializing and recreation.
Bible Principle: “There is an appointed time for everything, . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to wail and a time to dance.”—Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4.
7: KEEP A ROUTINE
Regain a sense of normalcy by keeping yourself occupied with a good routine.
Bible Principle: “He will hardly notice the passing days of his life, because the true God keeps him preoccupied with the rejoicing of his heart.”—Ecclesiastes 5:20.
8: AVOID MAKING BIG DECISIONS TOO SOON If possible, wait a year or more before making big decisions you may later regret.
Bible Principle: “The plans of the diligent surely lead to success, but all who are hasty surely head for poverty.”—Proverbs 21:5.
9: REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONE
Collect pictures and mementos or write in a journal to keep alive your memory of the person who has died.
Bible Principle: “Remember the days of old.”—Deuteronomy 32:7.
10: GET AWAY
Make time for a change of pace—even if for just a day or part of a day.
Bible Principle: “Come, you yourselves, privately into an isolated place and rest up a little.”—Mark 6:31.
11: HELP OTHERS
Renew your sense of purpose by doing things for those who need help, including others affected by the loss of your loved one.
Bible Principle: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:35.
12: REEVALUATE YOUR PRIORITIES Use this opportunity to gain new insights into what truly matters and, as needed, make adjustments to your priorities.
Bible Principle: “Better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting, for that is the end of every man, and the living should take it to heart.”—Ecclesiastes 7:2.
From: No 3 2018 Awake! Cover Subject: Help For Those Who Grieve
