Grief is Walking in Circles and Shoving our Hand in the Mouth of the Dog that Bites.

Grief is a journey and a process.  The process of grieving is not a cut and dried step by step, pretty and neat journey.  It is ugly and painful.  It is confusing and not at all predictable.  

Grief sneaks up from behind and pulls the rug out from under us leaving us bruised and bleeding on the floor.

Grief has the opportunity to strengthen relationships or can be used to isolate and imprison. 

Grief can be the tool to draw us near God or we can use it as an excuse to turn our backs on Him.

When someone is bit by a dog the first reflex is to pull one's hand away which will cause us much more damage.  The best strategy we are told is to shove our hand as far down the dog's throat as possible so they will release it.

The only way to deal with pain is to go through it.  To face it.  To feel it.  To cling to God and loved ones as we enter the pain.  

For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind!