Unlocking Joy After Grief | Christian Grief Support, Life After Child Loss, Bereavement, Hope and Healing for Grieving Moms
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Does the thought of having to live in a world without your child cripple you? Do you lay awake at night with the ”what if’s” and the ”why’s” constantly playing in your mind, wondering if you’ll ever feel peace again? Does everything seem hard, even the little things? Do you just want someone to understand how you feel?
I see you friend. In this podcast you will find the hope you’re looking for, the healing you’re longing for, and the key to living again after losing your child, all through the only way it’s possible - Jesus.
Hi, I’m Courtney. Wife and mama to 6 kiddos, 1 in heaven waiting for us - and that’s why I’m here. I lost my precious 4 year old son, Sam, in 2017 and the pain and grief that instantly took over was crippling. Everything I went through after that horrific night threatened to consume me.
But here I am. Years have passed. And the ONLY.WAY. I made it through was Jesus. His strength and his love carried me through a time that I could NOT have carried myself. His goodness and faithfulness were my life preservers that kept me from drowning. The hope and healing I was searching for was found in him. And it’s my joy to share with you everything this journey has taught me so far.
Get ready for encouragement for your faith, tactical tips in dealing with your grief, finding hope and healing for your shattered heart, and learning how to live again. If you are screaming YES to not having to walk this road alone and letting Jesus carry you through, then I’m ready to lace up my shoes and begin walking this road with you.
Learn ＞＞ www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect ＞＞ courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook ＞＞ @unlockingjoy
Instagram ＞＞ @unlockingjoy
Listen on:
Episodes
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
I know I’ve mentioned so many times that there’s not a right way to grieve. But is there a wrong way?
My initial reaction would be no, there isn’t a wrong way. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized there is a wrong way - a way that doesn’t bring lasting peace and comfort.
So today I wanted to share what that is and then give you some ideas on ways you can process your grief - all partnered with Jesus.
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/is-there-a-wrong-way-to-grieve-my-answer-might-surprise-you/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Jesus' birth brought us many things, but there is one gift that his birth brought us that is the greatest gift we could have as grieving parents.
Today I want to talk about everything that Jesus' birth brought us - all based off of Isaiah 9:6. And then I want to add one important gift that he gave us. One that is the greatest gift we can have on our grief journey. One that I can’t talk about without crying.
I pray that we always remember the reason for this season. And that we continually give thanks to Jesus for this amazing gift.
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/gift-that-jesus-birth-gave-us-as-grieving-parents/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Social media. It’s the thing that takes up so much of our time, but we all know we should turn it off.
So why is it so hard to stop the scroll?
That’s what I go into in this episode. Plus I go through steps you can take to help reduce (or stop) your social media use and begin tasting the freedom that being away from your phone will bring.
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/stop-the-scroll-a-step-by-step-plan-to-reduce-social-media-usage/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
After your child goes to heaven, there will come a time when you want to do something in their memory. Something to honor them. And there are so many different things you can do!
I wanted to bring you 5 ways that you can honor your child that you’ve lost. You can use these 5 ideas to spark your own ideas of what you can do.
Everyone’s journey is so different and unique to them, so there’s no right or wrong way and there’s no right or wrong time to do something in honor of your child.
I know that whatever you end up doing, it will be perfect and will bring such honor to your precious child’s memory.
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/in-memory-of-5-ways-to-honor-your-child-after-they-go-to-heaven/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
The holidays are upon us. After losing a child everything about the holidays can seem hard. But today I wanted to touch on one specific part of this holiday season - holiday parties.
Getting together with family and friends while you’re processing your grief can seem so overwhelming and impossible.
So I wanted to bring you some tips you can use to prepare for the party and also some things you can do while you’re there.
Remember, our goal is to survive!
I pray that these tips will help you be able to survive the parties and get togethers that happen during this time of year.
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/dreading-get-togethers-after-losing-your-child-tips-on-preparing-for-and-making-it-through-holiday-parties/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
All holidays are hard after losing a child, and Thanksgiving is no exception. It’s just another reminder that our child isn’t here.
So today, I want to help us get through the day by taking you through one of my favorite “Thanksgiving” verses in scripture - Psalm 107.
I walk through this portion of scripture verse by verse and relate it to this grief journey that we’re walking. Inside is a promise that is so crucial to us on not just Thanksgiving Day, but every day.
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/give-thanks-to-the-lord-for-he-is-good-a-walkthrough-of-psalm-107/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Gratitude and grief. They just don’t seem like they go together. How can we have thankfulness after we’ve lost our child?
It seems impossible.
While it’s not impossible, it also isn’t easy. It really takes concentrated effort to have gratitude in the middle of your grief. So why even try? What’s the big deal about gratitude?
In this episode I tell you why it’s important and I give you 5 ways that you can experience gratitude in the midst of healing after losing your child.
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/gratitude-and-grief-5-ways-to-experience-gratitude-after-child-loss/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Distractions. Normally they are not a good thing. We hear all the time: Stay focused on your goals! Don’t get distracted!
But during your grief journey (especially in the early days), distractions are a very good thing.
When we sit for too long the grief and pain threaten to consume our mind, so we need to have some distractions ready to go for those moments.
Here are 4 things that I used in my own grief journey to help me keep my mind distracted from the pain that threatens to take over.
Register for the Holiday Grief Relief Summit:
https://courtneywilliamsuj--grief2greatday.thrivecart.com/extended-access-relief-bundle/
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/the-power-of-distractions-in-your-grief-journey/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
We all know how important sleep is, but sleep is one of the things that is so hard to do after losing your child. There were so many nights that I would just lay awake, my mind refusing to stop long enough for me to go to sleep.
There were 2 things I did specifically that helped me be able to fall asleep in those early days, weeks, and months after losing Sam.
So today I wanted to share those things with you (and a few additional tips) in hopes that you’ll be able to finally fall asleep when you lay down at night.
Register for the Holiday Grief Relief Summit:
https://courtneywilliamsuj--grief2greatday.thrivecart.com/extended-access-relief-bundle/
📄Show Notes:
Find all links mentioned in this episode here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/sleeping-after-child-loss-5-tips-to-help-you-fall-asleep-after-losing-your-child/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
One thing that became crystal clear after we lost our son Sam is that I was done wasting time on things that didn’t matter. Because you never know how long you have on this Earth, I didn’t want to waste a moment on things that weren’t a priority.
But how do you know what’s a priority and what’s not?
In this episode I bring you through 4 steps to help you:
➡️Figure out what’s important to you
➡️Know what order to place them in
➡️Find time in your calendar for these priorities
It’s time to stop wasting our time on things that don’t matter! Start living your life with intention and purpose today!
📄Show Notes:
Find show notes here:
https://www.unlockingjoy.com/what-are-your-priorities-how-to-find-out-and-how-to-find-time-for-them/
✨Free Resources:
Find Your Lifesaver Verse: www.unlockingjoy.com/lifesaver
31 Days of God’s Character Scripture Calendar: https://www.unlockingjoy.com/godscharacter/
💚Connect With Me:
Learn >> www.unlockingjoy.com
Connect >> courtney@unlockingjoy.com
Facebook >> @unlockingjoy
Instagram >> @unlockingjoy