Page 77 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 23
P. 77
Health & healing
Wash your face and trust the men were talking of stoning
God for the New Year him; each one was bitter in
After the tears have been shed spirit because of his sons and
and the pain acknowledged, daughters. But David found
get back up again, wash your strength in the Lord his God.”
Mercy Chege Omari,
media professional and face and trust God. Drawing 1st Samuel 30:3-6 NIV
counselling psychologist. inspiration from the biblical I pray that God will wrap
account of David, who wept you with His love and give
stuck, feeling like they are not over his losses but eventually you extra strength during
where they thought they would found strength, we learn the the holidays. Despite the
be by now. importance of honest emotional shadows, may His light of
Nothing I say can make the expression and getting back up hope guide us, and may the
pain go away, but allow me to again amid grief. After weeping coming year bring healing,
share a few insights that have until he had no strength left, strength, and opportunities for
helped me navigate through my he found solace and strength in new beginnings. In the words
own grief. the Lord. of Psalms 23, may God’s
A quote that I have made my “When David and his men comforting presence lead us
own for every end of the year reached Ziklag, they found through the valleys to green
is one by John Piper that says, it destroyed by fire and their pastures.
“Occasionally weep deeply wives and sons and
over the life you hoped would daughters taken captive.
be. Grieve the losses. Then So David and his men
wash your face. Trust God. And wept aloud until they had
embrace the life you have.” no strength left to weep.
David’s two wives had
Weep and acknowledge the been captured—Ahinoam
pain of Jezreel and Abigail,
the widow of Nabal of
Give yourself permission to Carmel. David was
mourn, recognizing that it’s greatly distressed because
okay not to be okay. The world
may encourage you to smile
and be strong, but allowing
yourself time to grieve is a Mercy is a wife and mommy of 3,
vital step toward healing. one amazing boy here and two boys in heaven. If not writing or playing with her son
Acknowledge the hurt instead Manuel, you’ll find her wherever people are: talking, encouraging, sharing a meal
of minimising it or ignoring and having a good laugh! She is a media professional and counselling psychologist
it like the pain does not exist. who seamlessly combines her passion for communication and her desire to encourage
If you can, see a professional people. Through her writing, she aims to share her faith, wisdom and insights gained
counselor, talk to someone who from her diverse background and lived experience offering readers a fresh perspective
allows you to be vulnerable and on healing. She is the author of the book “Hope for a Grieving Heart” and leads
talk to God. support groups for women that are going through child loss. Join her on her mission
to inspire and uplift through her words. Her Social Media handles are @mercysmiley
on Instagram and Mercy Chege Omari on Facebook.
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