Article
What if grief has made my faith harder?
Some women lose someone and find their faith steadying. Others find it complicated in ways they are afraid to say out loud.
The short answer
Grief often raises real questions about God, prayer and trust. Those questions are not a failure of faith, and they do not have to be resolved quickly. They can be spoken plainly in counseling without being corrected.
What women often hesitate to say
- I prayed and it did not go the way I asked.
- I feel numb in worship and guilty about it.
- People keep quoting verses at me and it makes me lonelier.
- I am angry, and I have been told that is not allowed.
- I do not know how to trust God with the next thing.
How that gets held here
Lori is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and a certified spiritual director. That means faith can be part of the conversation at whatever level you want, including bringing your hardest questions rather than your tidiest ones.
Nothing will be assumed about your beliefs, and you will not be pushed toward a conclusion.
Grief work and faith can happen together
For some women the counseling and the faith questions belong in the same room. For others, spiritual direction is the better fit later on. Either way, you do not have to sort out your theology before you get support.
Common questions
Do I have to be a Christian to see Lori?
No. Faith is an invitation here, never a requirement.
Is it wrong to be angry with God?
Many long traditions of faith include lament. It is worth speaking rather than hiding.
Is this counseling or spiritual direction?
They are different, and Lori offers both. She can help you decide which fits.
Learn more about counseling for grief and life transitions with Lori, or browse all articles on grief and life transitions.
Written by Lori Rasmussen, LISW, a Licensed Independent Social Worker licensed in the State of Iowa and a Certified Spiritual Director. Lori counsels women and female students in Waterloo, Iowa and online across Iowa. Articles here are meant to help you understand what you may be experiencing; they are not a diagnosis and they do not take the place of care from a professional who knows your story.
Reaching out can be the first step.
You don't need to know exactly what to say, or have anything figured out, before you contact Lori.
Or email rasmussencounselingandsd@gmail.com