Grief: A Symphony of Emotions

When we think of grief, the first emotion that often comes to mind is sadness. And while sadness is certainly part of the journey, it is far from the whole picture. Grief is not a single note—it is a symphony of emotions, layered and complex, rising and falling in ways that can take us by surprise.

To some it may come as a surprise how closely grief can feel like anger. Sometimes we are angry at the circumstances of our loss, angry at the unfairness of it all, or even angry at God for allowing it to happen. This emotion can erupt when we least expect it, leaving us wondering where it came from and what to do with it.

Other times, grief shows up as anxiety. The future suddenly feels uncertain, fragile, and unsafe. Fear creeps in—fear of more loss, fear of being alone, fear of the unknown. The foundation we once trusted feels shaky, and we find ourselves questioning whether we will ever feel steady again.

Regret is another heavy companion. It whispers what-ifs and should-haves into our minds. We replay conversations and moments, wishing we had said more, done more, loved better. We torment ourselves over things we wish we’d done differently.

Yet, threaded through every one of these emotions is love. That’s the heartbeat of grief. We grieve because we have loved, and love does not end when a person’s life on earth does. It remains – strong, enduring, unshakable.

Those who haven’t walked this journey may not fully grasp how grief touches every corner of life. It changes routines, reshapes relationships, alters how we see the world, and even how we see ourselves. It doesn’t arrive in tidy stages or follow a predictable timeline.

This mix of emotions can feel overwhelming. One moment we are crying, the next moment we are irritable, and the next we are quiet and withdrawn. Sometimes, we feel all of it in the same day. The shifting emotional landscape of grief can make us wonder if we are “doing it wrong,” but the truth is – this is grief. It doesn’t fit neatly into a box, and it isn’t meant to.

Understanding that grief is more than sadness allows us to extend grace, to ourselves and to others. Please know this – it’s okay to feel a hundred emotions at once. It’s okay to not have the words for what you feel. Grief isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a reflection of the depth of your love and the fullness of your humanity.

Eventually, we realize that grief is not an enemy to conquer but a companion to walk with. The emotions may continue to ebb and flow, but we begin to trust that they don’t have the final say. Beneath them all, God’s presence remains steady. He teaches us that it is possible to hold sorrow and joy in the same heart, to cry and to laugh, to ache and to hope, all without guilt.

Excerpt taken from my next book: When Scars Become Stories. Coming Soon!