Healing From Loss

Loss is one of the hardest things we can experience in life. It shakes us, takes us to dark places, and tests our strength in ways we never thought possible. The pain can feel endless, and the weight can be overwhelming. But there is something that can help us keep going: the process of healing. Healing doesn’t happen quickly or easily, but it does happen, one step at a time.

Grief is a journey, not a destination. It’s like climbing a ladder—sometimes it feels like you’re stuck on one rung, unable to move up. Other times, you feel like you’re sliding back down. But the key is to keep climbing. Even if the steps are small, even if you can’t see the top, keep moving. Every little bit of progress matters. You may feel like you’re taking two steps back for every one step forward, but you’re still climbing. You’re still moving.

Healing is a gradual process, often unfolding in ways we don’t expect. It’s not always linear. Some days will feel better than others, and on some days, you might feel like you’ve gone backward. It’s important to be gentle with yourself during this time and recognize that your grief is a part of your journey, not a sign of failure. Healing requires patience—patience with yourself and with God. We have to remember that God sees every tear, hears every cry, and knows the depth of our pain. His timing in healing is different from ours, but His way is always right. In Isaiah 41:10, God promises us: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” He doesn’t promise that we won’t face loss, but He does promise that He will be with us in the midst of it. His presence is a comfort and a source of strength when we feel like we can’t keep going.

Healing doesn’t mean forgetting those we’ve lost. It doesn’t mean pretending the pain isn’t there. Instead, it’s about finding a way to carry their memory and still move forward in life. It’s about living in a way that honors them. We carry their love, their lessons, and their legacy with us as we keep going. We find a way to keep moving, even though it hurts. We may always carry the scar of the loss, but in time, the scar may become a symbol of resilience—proof that we survived, that we faced the pain and didn’t give up. In Romans 8:28, we are reminded: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Even in the midst of grief, God works in ways that we cannot always see, but He is always working. He’s taking the broken pieces and shaping them into something that, while still cracked, will be stronger and more beautiful because of it.

Over the past few years, I’ve lost people who meant so much to me - more than can be known. From a loss that shook me so deeply I was in the hospital for several days, with “broken heart syndrome”, 3 years later, the day after my birthday, another tragic, sudden passing. Then another life was taken from me a month later in a horrific double hit and run accident. And just four years ago today, I faced another gut-wrenching loss—two beautiful souls taken far too soon in a car accident. Each one of these losses has left a wound that feels like it could never heal. But through it all, I’ve learned that healing doesn’t mean erasing the pain. It means moving forward, living in their memory, and continuing to honor them by living the life they’d want me to live. The memories will never fade, and the love I have for each one of them remains as strong as ever. But the key is to use their lives as inspiration to live the best life I can, with their love and lives in my heart.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When we face the pain of loss, we can take comfort in knowing that God is near to us. He understands our sorrow, and He is there to carry us through. His nearness doesn’t make the pain disappear, but it gives us the strength to keep going. In moments of deep sorrow, He offers His presence as a balm to our brokenness. We are not abandoned in our grief.

When I say, “I climbed a ladder, got over it, and moved on,” what I mean is that I found a way to keep living. It’s not that the pain went away or that I stopped missing them, but I found a way to live with the loss and keep moving forward. Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting. It means living with the grief, but not allowing it to define my entire life. We honor them by continuing to live, to love, and to pursue the purpose we still have. Our loved ones wouldn’t want us to stop living because of their absence—they would want us to keep pressing forward, to keep striving for the future God has for us. Philippians 3:13-14 reminds us, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” While we remember those we've lost, we press on toward the future that God has for us, knowing that there’s a greater purpose for our lives. Their legacy is not just in the past but in the way we live today.

The fear of more loss is real. We all feel it. I fear that I can’t take another loss either. Especially at my late age. It’s hard to keep going when the weight of grief feels too much to bear. But we can’t control what’s coming in the future. We can’t avoid pain forever. What we can control is how we respond. We can choose to keep moving. We can choose to keep climbing, even when it feels impossible. And in doing that, we find hope. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” God is the source of our comfort, and He empowers us to extend that same comfort to others. Our experiences with grief don’t just change us; they equip us to help others walk through their pain with compassion and understanding. We may not understand why pain comes, but God uses it to shape us into His instruments of healing for others.

The fear is there, but so is hope. Hope that, even in the hardest of days, there is light on the other side. Hope that, even when we face pain, there is healing. It may not come quickly or in the way we expect, but it does come. And with each step, each climb, we get closer to the peace and healing we’re searching for. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Our healing is not just for us—it overflows into others. When we are filled with hope, it pours out onto those around us, bringing peace and joy that surpass our understanding.

Healing takes time. There’s no set timeline for grief. Some days will be easier than others, and that’s okay. Some days, you may feel like you’ve made no progress at all. That’s okay too. Just remember that every day you keep climbing, even when it feels impossible, is an act of strength. You are not alone. There are people who care, and God is with you, holding you steady as you take each step. Psalm 23:4 assures us: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” God doesn’t leave us in our darkest moments—He walks beside us, guiding us through the pain.

The climb is hard. The journey is long. But you don’t have to face it alone. Keep moving forward, one step at a time. Even when it feels like you can’t take another loss, you can take another step. And that step, no matter how small, is a victory. Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” God will renew our strength and help us keep going. His promises are not just for the good times—they are especially for us in our moments of weakness. When we rely on Him, we can keep going.

Keep climbing. Keep moving. And trust that healing is happening, even if you can’t always see it. You are strong enough to keep going. And remember, no matter what, the King is coming. He is coming to make all things right, to wipe every tear, and to restore what was lost. Revelation 21:4 tells us, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Until that day, we hold onto hope, knowing that healing is not just a future promise but a present reality.

In Jesus 

I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Anna M. C. Hazen  2025