Grief is… grief.
It is heavy—an invisible weight pressing on your chest, making it hard to breathe or think clearly.
Sometimes, it’s an ache that lingers in the quiet moments; other times, a sudden wave that crashes over you.
It can feel like nothing but longing—like a fog has settled over your world, muting the colors and silencing the joy.
Grief can silently take away a part of the future we never anticipated, altering our plans and making us painfully aware of the present.
Or it can be expected, and yet we only begin to understand it as we walk through it.
Everyone grieves differently—some seek community, while others withdraw.
I tend to withdraw during times of grief. I grow quiet and seek out silence. I don’t want to talk—yet, community is exactly what I need in those moments.
My understanding of grief has been shaped over time, beginning with the loss of a parent at an early age and followed by the loss of many loved ones throughout my life.
When I was younger, I would keep myself busy—doing anything I could to avoid facing the pain of loss. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand the importance of facing grief head-on with God: welcoming the monsoon of waves and finding joy in having come through to the other side with prayer and resolve in Him.
My inspiration was reading that Jesus often withdrew to quiet moments, stepping away from the noise and demands of the world to realign Himself with the Father’s will (Luke 5:16).
But He would withdraw to deserted places and pray (Luke 5:16 NRSV)
Jesus modeled a rhythm of retreat and return—pausing to reconnect with the Father before stepping back into the world to serve. In these moments, He demonstrated that withdrawing is not a sign of weakness but an act of wisdom and intentionality. It is a deliberate choice to silence distractions, step away from the pull of the world, and focus entirely on God. After healing lepers and paralytics, calling His disciples, and teaching (Luke 5:1-39), He made time to retreat.
Withdrawing is human—it allows us to pause, breathe more freely, and center ourselves on the One who provides clarity and strength. Jesus shows us the beauty of retreating—taking time to refresh and refocus on our purpose. In these moments, we can let go of the noise and align ourselves with God through prayer and reflection.
Jesus didn’t remain in His withdrawal; He returned to community, focused on serving with love and purpose. We are called to do the same. After withdrawing and finding our hope in Him, we must move back into the community, bringing with us the peace and wisdom we’ve received. We must discern when to rest with God and when to serve in community to honor Him.
Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (NRSV). Just as Jesus withdrew to seek the Father and then returned to teach, heal, and serve, we, too, are called to re-engage with others, carrying His light into the world. Paul, the writer of Galatians, urged believers to embrace community, lifting one another up in faith and love.
So I offer this challenge—whether you’re grieving or not:
Don’t just read the Word—immerse yourself in prayer.
Walking? Pray.
Breathing in the quiet? Let that be a prayer, too.
In withdrawal, you can find a sacred space—where peace, clarity, and strength are renewed in Him. Then, reach out. Ask for prayer. Seek connection. There is hope in Him—and in His people.
Luke 5:1-26. “Bible Gateway Passage: Luke 5 – New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised.” Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5&version=NRSVA.
Don’t have a church? There’s a site for that! https://www.churchfinder.com/find-a-church Just type in your city, and state. Then,
Consider Jesus by Elizabeth A. Johnson (Chapter 2- The Humanity of Jesus)
This book was assigned in one of my theology classes, and it’s become a valuable resource I return to when seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus. It offers a broad survey of how various people and traditions view Him, which helps bring specific aspects of His humanity into clearer focus.
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