When Grief Breaks Your Heart
4/5
()
About this ebook
Sooner or later, heartache comes to everyone. Sadness, sorrow, disappointment, mourning, grief—whatever people call it—is a fact of life. People need help in knowing how to deal with grief, how to work through it, and how to grow because of it.
In When Grief Breaks Your Heart, best-selling author James W. Moore explores two major questions:
• What does faith say about the grief experience?
• How does faith help mend a broken heart?
The book, therefore, is about grief and grace. Moore shows how these two words belong together:
• God’s grace sustains people through the grief experience
• God’s love supports people when they have nowhere else to turn
• God’s grace brings the healing touch people so desperately need when their hearts are crushed.
The book is appropriate for anyone who is experiencing grief. Pastors especially will find it helpful to keep a quantity on hand to pass out to people during grief experiences and grief counseling.
Rev. James W. Moore
James W. Moore (1938–2019) was an acclaimed pastor and ordained elder in The United Methodist Church. He led congregations in Jackson, TN; Shreveport, LA; and Houston, TX. The best-selling author of over 40 books, including Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned, But I Have Several Excellent Excuses, he also served as minister-in-residence at Highland Park United Methodist Church.
Read more from Rev. James W. Moore
Jesus' Parables of Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus' Parables About Discipleship Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYes, Lord, I Have Sinned - 20th Anniversary Edition: But I Have Several Excellent Excuses Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Jesus' Parables of Grace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFaith Is the Answer, But What Are the Questions? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus' Parables About Making Choices Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristmas Gifts That Won't Break Leader Guide: Expanded Edition With Devotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus' Parables of the Lost and Found Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus' Parables about Priorities Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMoments That Take Your Breath Away Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGive Up Something Bad for Lent: A Lenten Study for Adults Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rich in the Things That Count the Most Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen All Else Fails...Read the Instructions with Leaders Guide: Read the Instructions Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Lord, Give Me Patience, and Give It to Me Right Now! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Seizing the Moments: Making the Most of Life's Opportunities Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Attitude is Your Paintbrush: It Colors Every Situation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNoah Built His Ark In The Sunshine Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSome Folks Feel the Rain Others Just Get Wet: Others Just Get Wet Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod Was Here and I Was Out to Lunch Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How God Takes Our Little & Makes It Much Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristmas Gifts That Won't Break Youth Study: Expanded Edition With Devotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristmas Gifts That Won't Break [Large Print]: Expanded Edition with Devotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStanding on the Promises or Sitting on the Premises? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDaddy, Is That Story True, or Were You Just Preaching? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHave You Ever Seen a Hearse Pulling a Trailer? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIf God Is Your Co-Pilot, Swap Seats! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Healing Where It Hurts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Hear Voices, and That's a Good Thing! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to When Grief Breaks Your Heart
Related ebooks
The Journey: 30 Day Walk with Jesus: Overcoming Fear and Anxiety Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTrust God! From a Mother’s Grief to Affirming Faith: How God Gives Us Twice As Much Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsComfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart: Hope and Healing After Losing Your Parent Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGiving Grief Meaning: A Method for Transforming Deep Suffering into Healing and Positive Change Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5“Why God?": Brave Questions That Need Answers After Suffering Loss Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHealing Death: Finding the Healing to Live Well into Our Dying Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSoul Survivors: From Trauma to Triumph Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLife After Losses: A Memoir of Self-Healing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAftermath: Picking Up the Pieces After a Suicide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHealing Grief, Finding Peace: Daily Strategies for Grieving and Growing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Take My Grief Away from Me: How to Walk Through Grief and Learn to Live Again Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Grief One Day at a Time: 365 Meditations to Help You Heal After Loss Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Grief Survival Handbook: A Guide from Heartache to Healing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFather Forgive: The Forgotten "F" Word Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThoughts for the Holidays: Finding Permission to Grieve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When Loved Ones Are Called Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSympathy & Condolences: What to Say and Write to Convey Your Support After a Loss Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFinding Hope in Times of Grief Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrief Diaries: Surviving Loss of a Sibling Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrieving Is a Must: A Christian Approach to Coping with the Loss of a Loved One Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEveryday Strength: A Cancer Patient's Guide to Spiritual Survival Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHealing a Child's Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas for Families, Friends and Caregivers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Widowed Walk: Experiencing God After the Loss of a Spouse: God and Grief Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Grief Recovery Workbook: Helping You Weather the Storm of Loss and Overwhelming Disappointment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRecovering from Traumatic Stress:: A Guide for Missionaries Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Understanding Your Grief Journal: Exploring the Ten Essential Touchstones Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Trauma Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrieving the Loss of Someone You Love: Daily Meditations to Help You Through the Grieving Process Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (updated with two new chapters) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for When Grief Breaks Your Heart
1 rating0 reviews
Book preview
When Grief Breaks Your Heart - Rev. James W. Moore
WHEN
GRIEF
BREAKS
YOUR
HEART
Image1WHEN GRIEF BREAKS YOUR HEART
Copyright © I99S by Abingdon Press
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Abingdon Press, P.O. Box 801, 201 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37202.
This book is printed on acid-free, recycled paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Moore, James J. Games Wendell), 1938-
When Grief Breaks Your Heart/James W. Moore.
p. cm.
ISBN 0-687-00791-7 (alk. paper)
1. Consolation. 2. Bereavement—Religious aspects-Christianity.
I. Title.
BV4905.2.M654 1995 248.8'6—dc20
94-19609
Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.
ISBN-13:978-0-687-00791-2
10 1 1 12 13 14-20 19 18 17 16
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
In memory of
those special saints
whose loss brought grief,
but whose lives taught grace
Contents
__________________
Introduction
1. Healing Where It Hurts
2. When Someone You Love Dies
3. Bouncing Back from a Broken Heart
4. Why Do Good People Suffer?
5. Amazing Grace
Epilogue:
Three Personal Breakthroughs That Can
Change Your Life
img1sooner or later, heartache comes to all of us. Sooner or later, one way or another, each of us will have to walk through the valley of grief. Sadness, sorrow, disappointment, mourning, grief— whatever we call it—will rear its head and cover us like a heavy blanket. The broken heart
is a fact of life. We need help in knowing how to deal with it, how to work through it, and how to grow because of it.
What does faith say to us about the grief experience? How does faith help to mend a broken heart? These are the questions we will explore in this book.
A young man's wife died, leaving him with a small son. After returning from the cemetery, they went to bed as soon as it was dark, because there was nothing else the father could bear to do. As he lay there in the darkness—brokenhearted, grief-stricken, numb with sorrow—the boy broke the stillness from his little bed with a disturbing question: Daddy, where is Mommy?
The father tried to get the boy to go to sleep, but the questions kept coming from his confused, childish mind. After a while, the father got up and brought the boy to bed with him. But the child was still disturbed and restless, and occasionally would ask a probing, heartbreaking question.
Finally, the boy reached out in the darkness and placed his hand on his father's face, asking, Daddy, is your face toward me?
Assured by his father's words, and by his own touch, that his father's face was indeed toward him, the boy said, If your face is toward me, I think I can go to sleep.
And in a little while, he was quiet.
The father lay there in the darkness and, in childlike faith, lifted up his own needy heart to his Father in heaven. He prayed something like this: O God, the way is dark, and I confess that I do not see my way through right now. But if your face is toward me, somehow I think I can make it.
This book is about grief and grace. Those two words go together—belong together. It is God's amazing grace that holds us up and brings us through the grief experience. It is God's gracious love that supports us when we