Easter Can Bring Renewal to Grievers

A “New” Time

Easter represents a time of rebirth and newness. This holiday comes in the springtime when nature so mercifully replaces the old with the new. The season brings forth endless shades of green in the trees and fresh fields painted with brilliant wildflowers. Even neighborhood lawns and gardens come alive with vivid color. The energy of spring is almost tangible. It’s evident all around you, what was once cold and dead has become warm and vibrant with life!

 

More than Colored Eggs

For Christians, Easter is celebrated as the day that Jesus Christ overcame death and was resurrected from the grave. He was dead and buried for three days and then came back to life to live forever. What a beautiful and powerful holiday Easter is! It’s more than just a bunny, candy and hunting colored eggs.

 

Hope and Rebirth

Easter is a time of faith and is an occasion to celebrate new beginnings. Many people attend church on Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, making it one of the most attended services of the year. Families gather together for festivities and Easter dinners. However, if you have experienced loss, a holiday such as Easter could be a difficult time. Maybe a loved one is missing from the festivities this year and you can’t bear the thought of celebrating without him or her. Maybe your family dynamics are strained or different this year. Maybe you’re not in the same home and celebrating just seems awkward. If you are angry, especially with God, you may be reluctant to go to church or celebrate. Perhaps the grief of your loss has made you withdraw from social events or made you too sad and depressed to appreciate the holiday. If you are a griever, take a moment to assess where you are in your grief and where you would like to be. Then reflect on the Easter holiday and what it represents. This is a season of hope and rebirth. No matter what your loss or situation, this can still be your season of hope and rebirth!

 

Celebrate New Beginnings

You’re life may be in disarray and pain, but it still has purpose and you still have the hope of new beginnings. What can you do to move forward through the grief and take hold of a promising future? The first step is to “get up” and move. This could be meant literally and physically or it may mean you need to “move” emotionally or spiritually. Baby steps work just fine. Reach out to someone in your support system or pray to Jesus Christ for strength. He is the one who conquered death and is the master of rebirth and resurrection! Find the will and determination to make a positive step today and move a little further from despair. Celebrate your new beginning.

 

Replace the Old with the New

Take a walk and enjoy nature’s rebirth; soak up the beauty and energy of spring. Make every effort to revive the parts of yourself that have become withered and dead. Strive for steps that bring life back to your entire self – your body, mind and spirit. Renew your mind along with your heart and your actions will follow. Start by trading in the old for the new. Make a choice to replace:

• negative with positive
• sadness with happiness
• anger with resolution
• misery with joy
• hostility with friendliness
• despair with hope
• unforgiveness with forgiveness
• hatred with love
• malice with mercy
• lethargy with energy
• timidity with confidence
• bitterness with pleasure
• desolation with strength
• apathy with passion

Praise God for renewal of life and resurrection – your resurrection!