A series of successive losses can take more out of you than you realize. Even when you’ve hit an all-time low, you may not fully grasp how deep you’ve gone. Grief is a process—and it takes time to get through it.
Death. Financial setbacks. Family breakdowns. Health scares. Fractured relationships. Any one of these can shake you—but when several hit in quick succession, it can feel lethal.
Sure, the gurus have their slogans and clichés, always ready to drop a motivational one-liner. And depending on your theological camp, there’s always someone in the group with a pat answer or a “guaranteed” fix.
But here’s the truth: people process grief and loss differently. Sensitive people feel things more deeply. And when the hits keep coming, they stack up. The weight of “life” can pile on, draining you. You can become nervously, spiritually, physically, and emotionally exhausted—so much so that your resilience runs dry. That may last a few days… or much longer.
What some of us need to know is how to get through the things we simply can’t get over. I don’t offer quick fixes. No easy answers or empty guarantees. But I do believe there are some practical, life-giving steps that can help us walk through incredibly hard seasons:
LISTEN TO SONGS THAT MINISTER TO YOUR HEART.
“Come before the Lord with singing” (Psalm 100:2). Job worshipped in the ashes of loss. You can too.
ENTER GOD’S COURTS WITH PRAISE.
“Enter into his… courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). You can exchange the spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3). David praised God seven times a day (Psalm 119:164)—and so can you. Let praise become your second language.
PRACTICE INTENTIONAL GRATITUDE.
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4). Instead of rehearsing your troubles, rehearse your blessings. Give thanks generously. Write down five recent benefits you’ve received.
BLESS SOMEONE ELSE WHO’S STRUGGLING.
Don’t just sulk—sow into others. Lift someone else up, even while you’re still hurting.
PRAY—DON’T FAINT.
Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). If you can’t pray like you should, pray a little anyway. Even small prayers count.
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK.
Don’t stress yourself out by adding guilt to grief. Healing often comes through rest. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is sleep.
DON’T GIVE UP.
Even if you feel empty. Even if there’s nothing left. Realize that seasons change. Just put one foot in front of the other, and do the next thing. Keep moving—even if it’s slowly.
“Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer” (Psalm 4:1).
Yes, there is hope when your light has dimmed. Your perspective will shift, over time.
You will get through what you can’t get over.
Harold Vaughan
