Healing the Wounds of Trauma

3. How can we grieve in a way that brings healing? Grieving takes time and energy. It is like a journey that requires stops at several camps, but leads to healing (Is 61.1–3).

The journey of grief

A. The Camp of Denial and Anger Camp 1 is the Camp of Denial and Anger. Just after people experi- ence a loss, they are often numb and not completely aware of what is happening around them. They can’t believe that the person has really died, or that the event actually happened. At other moments they may suddenly start to cry or erupt in anger. They may be angry with God, or with the person who has died for leaving them alone. They may have many questions such as, “If only I had done this or that, he wouldn’t have died,” or, “I wish I had . . .” Or “Why did it happen to me?” A personmay also be tempted to find someone to blame for the death, and they may try to take revenge. This often results in conflict and broken relationships which increase the pain. Sometimes people refuse to believe that the person is really dead. They think that the person is still there. Often people dreamof seeing or hearing the dead person. This happens to people all around the world, and is not necessarily connected with evil spirits.

34

What Happens When Someone Is Grieving?