011 - The Struggle is Real | Dale Oquist

011 - The Struggle is Real | Dale Oquist

Episode 11 | The Struggle is Real with Dale Oquist In this episode, we interview Pastor Dale Oquist, Lead Pastor of Peoples Church in Fresno, CA.  He shares his journey of multiple losses in this past year and talks about: * The Rhythms of Life * Embracing the Struggle * Showing Gratitude Website:  Grief to Growth [https://grieftogrowth.org] Check out our new online courses available now! #parentloss #friendloss #multipleloss

010 - Traditions | Honoring Old and Embracing New

TRADITIONS | HONORING OLD AND EMBRACING NEW Navigating the Holidays while walking through grief and loss can be very challenging. When it comes to traditions, it can bring on a variety of emotions. Matt and Kari talk about their experiences of traditions through the first holidays following loss and also give several keys to managing this time well. Keys to honoring old and embracing new traditions during the holidays: 1. Be Intentional - Make a plan 2. Be engaged 3. Don't Overlook the Small Things 4. It doesn't have to be perfect 5. It doesn't have to be permanent 6. Make it personal 7. Make it positive Links:  Grief to Growth [https://grieftogrowth.org]

009 - Missing What Could Have Been; Grateful For What Is | Collin Crain

Collin Crain is the oldest son of Kari Perkins and serves as the Student Ministries Pastor at Northpointe Community Church in Fresno, California. 1. Collin’s journey of loss 2. Feelings and Emotions following the loss of his father 3. Ways to walk with someone who is grieving: * a. Love and accept without expectations * b. Don’t try and “have a moment” when all that is really needed is to just hang out * c. Find better questions to ask than just “how are you doing?” 4. “I miss what could have been, but I’m grateful for what is!” 5. A celebration of life is more than just a funeral or an event…it is how you honor those you lost when a memory comes to mind. Links: Grief to Growth [https://grieftogrowth.org]

008 - The Rise of Broken Heart Syndrome

THE RISE OF BROKEN HEART SYNDROME * What are the things that are adding “noise” to your life? * Are you adding extra stress to your life by being a “people pleaser”? * What is the outside pressure that you just have to learn to manage? * What are things that you have taken on but don’t have the margin for? 2 Corinthians 10:5 “…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Philippians 4:7-8 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Observations: * What thoughts are getting your attention? * Are they productive? * How can you find balance in your daily life? * Your balance and someone else’s aren’t necessarily the same. * When you start the day off with intention, you can manage the unplanned parts of the day better! Links: Cedars-Sinai [https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/broken-heart-syndrome-is-on-the-rise-in-women/] Grief to Growth [https://grieftogrowth.org]

007 - The Day I Was Mad At God | Breanna Hardy

THE DAY I WAS MAD AT GOD | BREANNA HARDY   Breanna Hardy shares her story of the loss of her mom at age 19 and how she dealt with anger.  Daughter of Matt and "Bonus Daughter" of Kari, she gives a unique perspective on dealing with anger following loss. This episode references her article, "The Day I Was Mad At God."   https://www.grieftogrowth.org/blog/the-day-i-was-mad-at-god   HERE ARE SOME OF HER THOUGHTS ON DEALING WITH ANGER: 1. It's okay to be mad at God...He can take it. "It’s when we soak in our sorrow, wallow in self-pity, and remain in bitterness that we actually shut God out, making the problem far worse than it already is."   “ We can often confuse disappointment and fallout from people with God.  Cancer let me down, but God never has.”  2. Remind yourself of who God is. 3. Acknowledge that your heart doesn’t line up with your head. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,  whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4   4. Make time each day to express your gratitude to God   “This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:5-8