On this episode of the By HIs Grace podcast, Misty Phillip sits down with Lisa Appelo, widow, and mother to seven amazing children. As a member of Widow Mama Collective, a Facebook community for young widows. she helps women find hope in the hard places of loss. A popular blogger, Lisa loves seeing women flourish in the strength of God’s promises.

Lisa shares the story of suddenly losing her husband, and how her life was shattered into a million pieces. Lisa shares how we can walk alongside grieving people. Whether it is the loss of a dream, or the tragic loss of a loved one. Lisa shares wisdom on what we can do, and say when others are grieving a loss.

Key Takeaways

“Nothing we can say can really comfort the way we want it too. We can’t fix them.”

Don’t say things like…

“At least you are young enough to remarry.” or “At least you’ll see them again.”

“They rush someone through their pain and try to slap on a platitude to explain it. Not saying anything is better.”

What you can do…

Offer to pray specifically for them.

Don’t discount the small practical ways you can help. There are a lot of tangible ways to walk alongside someone with grief.

“I was just so utterly dependent on God.”

Lament says..

I don’t understand, but I trust you. Through lamenting Lisa would
Cry out to the Lord. Pray. Ask hard questions. Get in the word.

How can you move forward in faith beyond fear.

We wonder if God will be faithful to us, and that is fear. Take your thoughts captive and replace the lies.

How can we re-shape our broken hearts? Sometimes we need to borrow hope.

These are places of deep Spiritual warfare.

Give yourself permission to grieve. There are no short cuts through losses in life. Active grief is exhausting. Give yourself space to grieve.

ABOUT THE BOOK

What do you do when you are suddenly navigating a life you didn’t sign up for? Lisa Appelo understands deeply. She’s experienced the raw emotions and uncertainty that come when everything falls apart. Lisa went to bed married and woke up a widow and single mom to seven children. She wrestled with impossible questions about her future–and then found life-changing answers that gave her the strength to move forward with true joy.

With compassion and rich biblical insight, Lisa will help you:

· find your footing when circumstances bring massive change;

· process hard emotions with God, who welcomes them;

· overcome paralyzing fear with three scriptural steps; and

· anchor your faith when your hope seems threadbare.

Your unexpected future may feel like Plan B, but it’s God’s purposeful Chapter Two for you as He reshapes your shattered heart. With each tender, intentional step, you’ll see you will not merely survive this, but that life can be good again.

Resources

Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After Your World Falls Apart – Bethany House

Begin reading Chapter One for FREE!

Scripture References

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” – 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19 ESV

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4 ESV

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”  – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV

Connect with Lisa

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

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