John 14:1 – “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
Welcome back to JUST STRAIGHT TALK. I’m R-E SAMPLE, and I want to start this episode with a little pause. Some topics we cover are light-hearted. Some are practical. But this one? It’s heavy. Because we’re talking about saying goodbye.
Whether it’s a spouse, a lifelong friend, a sibling, or even a child — loss changes you. And the older we get, the more names we carry in our hearts. But today is not just about sadness. It’s about remembering, honoring, and finding healing in Jehovah’s promises.
Jehovah God, we come to you today with hearts that have known loss. We lift up the names we’ve whispered in prayer, the faces we’ve seen in dreams, the love that never leaves us. Help us not to be swallowed by grief, but to be strengthened through it. Remind us that you are close to the brokenhearted. Thank you for the peace only you can give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Pain and the Purpose of Goodbye
Let’s be honest — saying goodbye never gets easier. Whether it happened ten years ago or last week, the ache is real. Sometimes it shows up as tears. Other times it shows up in silence, in an empty seat, in the sound of a favorite song.
Grief isn’t a straight line. It comes in waves. One day you’re okay, and the next, something small triggers a memory and you feel that lump in your throat all over again.
But here’s the truth: grief is a sign of love. It means the person mattered. It means they left a mark. Even Jesus, the Son of God, wept when his friend Lazarus died. He knew resurrection was coming, but still — he cried. That tells us something: It’s okay to mourn. It’s okay to feel.
How to Process Loss in a Faithful Way
Let Yourself Feel
– Don’t try to “be strong” all the time. Cry. Talk about them. Say their name.
– Healing starts with honesty.
Celebrate Their Life
– Share stories. Look at photos. Laugh at the memories. It’s okay to feel joy and pain at the same time.
Talk to Jehovah
– Grief can make us feel lonely, even angry. Tell God how you feel.
– He already knows. And he listens without judgment.
Don’t Isolate Yourself
– Call someone. Sit with friends. Go to church. Let people be there for you.
– Healing happens in community.
Make a Small Ritual
– Light a candle. Visit their resting place. Cook their favorite meal.
– These acts help you stay connected while still moving forward.
Give Yourself Grace
– Some days will be harder than others. That’s okay. There’s no deadline for grief.
– Let your heart heal at its own pace.
Carrying Them With You
We never really “get over” losing someone. We learn to live with it. We carry them differently. Maybe in your habits, your voice, your cooking, your traditions. They live on in you.
You might remember something they always said. You might find yourself using their expressions. That’s not strange — that’s legacy. That’s love continuing its journey through your life.
And don’t let anyone tell you to “move on.” You don’t move on — you move forward. Big difference.
Faith tells us this: death is not the end. John 14:1 says, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Jesus said that to his disciples to give them hope. That same hope is ours today.
If today you’re feeling the weight of a goodbye, I want you to know — you are not alone. Jehovah sees you. He knows what that person meant to you. He understands your tears. And he holds every one of them.
Grief doesn’t mean your faith is weak. It means your love was real.
Maybe you lost someone recently. Or maybe it’s been years but the ache hasn’t gone away. That’s okay. Healing is not about forgetting. It’s about learning to live fully, even with the pain.
Remember this:
– It’s okay to smile again.
– It’s okay to laugh without guilt.
– It’s okay to feel happy, even as you still miss them.
You’re not dishonoring their memory by living. In fact, you honor them more by continuing — with joy, with grace, with faith.
Jehovah, thank you for the ones we’ve loved and lost. Thank you for the time we had and the memories that remain. Comfort every heart that’s hurting. Wrap your arms around those who feel alone. Remind us of your promises — that this life is not the end, and that one day, we will see each other again. Until then, help us walk forward with courage, grace, and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This has been JUST STRAIGHT TALK, and I’m R-E SAMPLE. We carry those we’ve lost in our hearts. And with Jehovah’s help, we keep walking forward.
Honoring Their Memory
Sometimes the most healing thing we can do is to keep their memory alive in the little things. Maybe it’s planting their favorite flower in your garden. Maybe it’s setting an extra seat at the dinner table during holidays to honor them. Maybe it’s continuing a tradition they started — like reading a certain bible verse before bed or singing a song they loved.
And then there’s the legacy of faith. If they were a believer, then you know — this isn’t goodbye forever. It’s just goodbye for now. Their walk with Jehovah may have ended here, but their spirit lives on with him. That should bring you comfort, even on the hardest days.
You can also write about them. Keep a journal where you share what you miss, what you learned from them, what you’d say if you had one more day. These simple acts turn grief into gratitude. And gratitude opens the door to peace.
Never forget — healing doesn’t mean the pain goes away completely. It means it no longer controls you. It means you’ve made room in your heart for joy again.
One day, someone will remember you, too. What will they say? How will you be remembered? That’s the power of legacy. And part of honoring the people we’ve lost is choosing to live a life that’s worth remembering ourselves.
So cry when you need to. Smile when you can. And walk forward knowing that Jehovah walks with you — every step of the way.
Remember– Truth Don’t Change. JUST STRAIGHT TALK