I have heard it said that the grief is much like the ocean. The waves of the ocean can calmly flow in and out and other times the waves rush in at a greater pace. During turbulent times the waves are strong, fast and uncontrollable. Being caught up in such waves can cause much concern and fear.
Much like the waves, the emotions that result from grief can be experienced at different levels and different paces. Sometimes the emotions are felt in a much calmer manner. More manageable. Then there are times when we think we will drown in our emotions, they come on so strong. During these times, you may struggle to see the shoreline, you feel overcome by the strength of your feelings.
What do you do during these overwhelming times? First, realize that much like when you are in strong currents in the ocean if you try to swim against the current you are going to get exhausted and get into trouble. When strong emotions come on, don't try to fight them or resist them. The effort to do so will completely exhaust and deflate you because these emotions demand acknowledgment.
Instead, take the time to recognize what is happening to you, what you are feeling at the moment. Realize that feeling strong emotions and varying emotions are all apart of grief and its completely normal. Do you hear that? It's normal to feel like you are going crazy and that your world has turned upside down. Take heart that it won't last forever. Like the ocean, the calm will come. The Bible says "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."-Psalm 30:5. Amen to that! There is HOPE! Hold on to that truth.
If you can't find anything to rejoice in, rejoice that the emotions that seem so long and drawn out, will subside. Then take time to care for yourself. Do something that you enjoy. It is always good to help others as well as this helps us refocus our energies off of ourselves and engage in activities that bring meaning and increase self-worth. And if your emotions become too much for you to bear, reach out for help. You don't have to go through grief alone. If you don't have family and friends who can or know how to support you, seek out a professional, someone trained to support you through your grief.
Remember there is always hope for a better tomorrow.