“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up…” (1 Thes 5:11)
Many people believe they need to be strong and “take it on the chin” when faced with a crisis including the loss of a loved one. Being tough is a form of denial and, while it may seem to work in the beginning, in the long run it creates more problems for the simple reason that suppressed emotions don’t stay suppressed. They tend to find an outlet often with negative consequences.
Expressing emotion doesn’t mean we need to be loud and dramatic if that’s not our way. Sharing can be done in a way that’s fits our personality and is natural for us. Choosing friends and family that we trust and sharing our feelings with them, joining a support group, private counseling or even writing in a journal and ongoing prayer are forms that work well. The goal is to be open and honest and allow ourselves to express what we’re feeling when we’re feeling it.
Humans aren’t made to live isolated lives nor are we meant to struggle alone when faced with tragedy. God clearly intends for us to support one another. Holding ourselves aloof and denying our feeling not only compounds our pain it also prevents others from offering their comfort.
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Life Resumed: Healing From Loss 