Chuck Colson, an aide to Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, had something to say to me today. He has something to say to you: Grief is normal during a time of loss.
Remember the Watergate scandal of the 1970s? Back then I thought everyone sentenced to jail was a creep, including Chuck Colson, an aide to Richard Nixon. . .
and known as the White House “hatchet man.”
A man acquainted with grief. A man who reached a fork in the road and chose Christ.
Like me. Like you.
Today on Colson’s radio show, as I drove to the gym for a workout after dropping my son off at school, his words landed soft in my soul. You see, I’m grieving a broken dream, and I alternate between anger and sadness and fear. Grief is on my mind personally as well as professionally as I counsel hurting women and work toward my biblical counseling certificate through the well-respected Association of Biblical Counselors. (Several years ago I earned a diploma in pastoral care from Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon, yet sense the need for additional training.)
In our medical-izied America, I blanched at this very real possibility: Grief may one day soon be classified as a mental illness.
Huh?
I thought grief, especially after the loss of a loved one, is normal, even human.
On this brief podcast, Colson–who became a Christian in 1973 and who served seven months in prison for obstruction of justice–questions the idea of turning a normal human reaction to loss into a diagnosis of mental illness and gives insightful, wise and comforting words.
Incidentally, after leaving prison, Colson founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, which has since become the world’s largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families.
Here’s Chuck Colson’s brief podcast on grief. Click here to listen.
Question: Do you think grief is a normal response to a loss? Should it be classified a mental illness? Please chime in. Your words give hope to others. Thank you.
With Joy Overflowing!
Of course it’s normal. If it wasn’t being excited by success wouldn’t be normal either.
Jack, good point. I truly wonder if the folks who decide what is and is not mental illness will medical-ize this normal though difficult life stage. Grieving disorder? Thanks for your comment. 🙂
NO, I do not believe grief is a mental illness. It is a normal response to loss, usually profound loss. However, I think there could be some room for temporary inability to think clearly enough to make life altering decisions, but I would never consider it temporary insanity or anything close. Just a normal condition following a loss, much like normal recovery time after surgery. Just my humble opinion.
Love you Lucy
Yes, Judy, while grieving a deep loss, it can be extremely difficult to think clearly. Fourteen years ago, when my mom died suddenly — a heart attack in the middle of the night — I was numb and sad, especially those first few weeks. I am blessed that my husband could think straight when I could not. I am also thankful that an older cousin helped with some of the funeral arrangements. It was a terrible time yet a deeply spiritual time. Some days God held me together. Praise him.
Thank you, Judy, for your kind words. Love you back. 🙂
Isn’t that the truth! After a very painful miscarriage, a friend suggested I take Prozac. I had to explain that what I was experiencing was normal.
While I believe there is a place for medication — and if someone has debilitating grief and could not function — perhaps medication would help. But you are right: Grief is normal!!!’
More important, I am sorry you had to go through the miscarriage. Heart-wrenching. I pray God fills you with your peace and surrounds you with godly friends who listen and hug and let you cry.
I dont think grief should be classified a mental illness, its a feeling! If grief can be classified as an illness then all feelings may as well be classified as well. Maybe one for chronic happiness!
Love it, Amanda! Chronic happiness. 🙂