Introduction:

Grief is often painted as a dark, negative experience, something to be avoided or fixed. Yet, what if we viewed grief as an essential, natural process that helps us grow? As a widow, I’ve learned that grief doesn’t define me—it strengthens me, and in the process, I become more resilient, intentional, strong, and empowered.

Grief, grit, and growth are all interconnected, forming the foundation of how we rise from the ashes of loss. Over time, I’ve come to realize that the key to rising isn’t about “getting over it” or moving on from grief, but about moving through it, allowing ourselves to grow stronger each day.

The Gift of Grief:

Grief is not a bad word. For far too long, we’ve seen grief as something broken, something that needs to be fixed. But grief is not weakness. It’s love in its rawest form—love that lingers when the person we loved is no longer physically here. Grief is our heart’s response to loss, and just as love is vital to the soul, grief is too.

Instead of fearing or avoiding grief, we need to allow it space to be felt. I’ve learned to call grief by name when she shows up, uninvited, at the most inconvenient moments. Whether it’s a wave that passes quickly or a tsunami that demands our attention, I now acknowledge her. I give her space. I know that if I avoid her, she’ll come back stronger. But if I let her in for a moment, I can move through her with resilience and grace.

Grit and the RISE Framework:

The key to moving through grief, rather than letting it overtake us, is grit. Grit is what allows us to get back up, even when we don’t feel like it. Grit is the determination to move forward, even when it feels impossible. It’s the strength to let grief sit beside joy, without letting either overwhelm the other.

For me, grit is directly tied to the RISE framework—Resilient, Intentional, Strong, Empowered. To walk through grief, we need to be resilient. To heal, we need to be intentional. To rise each day, we need strength. And we need empowerment to take control of our grief journey, not as a victim, but as a woman who is actively choosing to grow through the pain.

Growth: The Becoming

The real growth comes when we embrace the process of becoming. In widowhood, I’m discovering that growth isn’t about moving past grief but growing with it. Healing isn’t a destination, it’s a journey, and it’s one that I must continue to walk, step by step.

To rise, we need to trust our wings—our God-given design. Even when we don’t understand why we’re walking this difficult path, we must trust that God has equipped us with everything we need. When we trust in His sovereignty and promises, we can walk with hope, knowing that grief is shaping us into the women we are becoming.

Conclusion:

Grief, grit, and growth are not separate concepts—they work together to help us rise. Grief is not our enemy, but our companion. Grit is the strength we need to keep going, and growth is the transformation we undergo as we lean into the hard places. When we trust our wings—our divine design—we can rise, even in the most challenging seasons. We are not defined by our grief, but by our resilience, our intentionality, our strength, and our empowerment.

Let’s embrace the journey, trust our wings, and allow grief to help us become who God is calling us to be.