Natasha Smith: How To Make the Church Safe for People Who Are Grieving

Natasha Smith
Photo courtesy of Natasha Smith

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“It’s the idea of deeply listening and not giving advice and not trying to fix. And in our culture, we have such a hard time doing that, and it’s because we’re doers and we’re fixers.”

“Some people think because of not being taught or whatever the case may be, that [1 Thessalonians 4:13 ] means to not grieve, but that is not the case.”

“Even when I was experiencing some of the onsets of some of the losses, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I feel like I’m going crazy.’ But I learned that all the roller coaster of emotions was normal—but no one had told me that.”

“It’s so surprising that we don’t talk as much about grief in our churches because the Bible is so filled with grief stories, and so many of our biblical heroes in the Bible experienced great grief.”

“During his grief, Jesus went to quiet places. And so to me it says we can make space in and make space for grief.”

“Grief can bring us to a crisis of faith. It can bring us to like really thinking about, ‘Ok, do you really believe all the things that you believed before?’”

“Over the years, that’s what I have resolved in my heart, is over and over again, I take these things to the feet of Jesus and he helps me through them. And he shows me that he’s always been there for me and he has never left my side.”

“When we feel like we don’t have a safe place to share, we kind of move inward, meaning we’re not going to talk about it.”

“If possible, is there a way that church leaders can incorporate more topics of grief within the yearly planning of programs, and in messages as well?

“We’re all experiencing some level of grief.”

“Have grace between the griever and the person who is supporting those who are grieving because we won’t always get it right.”

“We want to weep with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn. We want to come alongside and show compassion and empathy, just being more like Christ and having that concern and care for those around us.”

Mentioned in the Show

Deuteronomy 34
Job 2:11-13
John 6:67-68
John 11:35
Lamentations 3:33
Matthew 14:1-13
Matthew 26:36-46
Romans 8:28
Romans 12:15
Ruth 1
1 Thessalonians 4:13 

Can You Just Sit with Me?: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life” by Natasha Smith

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When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder” by James M. Black

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Jessica Lea
Jessica is a content editor for ChurchLeaders.com and the producer of The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast. She has always had a passion for the written word and has been writing professionally for the past five years. When Jessica isn't writing, she enjoys West Coast Swing dancing, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

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