Grief is defined as distress over sad events. Grief involves some personal suffering and it may include some past mistakes, thinking errors, and poor decision making. Here are some common griefs shared by husbands. They are woven into one story.

Grief #1
I waited way too long to ask for help.

Grief #2
I was ignorant about counseling and I did not believe it would help me.

Grief #3
I did not think another person could be of help. No one knows me like I do and I know what to do.

Grief #4
Me and God can fix whatever’s broken. We don’t need any help.

Grief #5
I do not need to be told what’s wrong with me or how bad I am, or that I am too angry and controlling.

Grief #6
I do not want to hear about Freud, my neurotic mother, or my lost childhood.

Grief #7
My problems are just spiritual warfare. I just need to pray and fast more.

Grief #8
I have never let anyone see my weaknesses and I am not about to start now.

Grief #9
I hate to see weakness. I hate to say weakness. And, I hate to confess weakness to another person.

Grief #10
My wife has been asking me to get help for twenty years. I should have listened to her much earlier.

Grief #11
I have been looking for two years to find a Christian counselor. I wanted someone who loved God and could understand and explain to me, my own emotional system.

Grief #12
I am so sorry that I never knew or could never say this before. But, today I am ready to admit the problem in our relationship. It is me. I am emotionally stunted.

Prayer

Father, today I want to ask your help with my griefs. I am ready to confess and admit some faulty beliefs. I can be strong willed and independent. That is a strength and weakness. Emotions and being emotional are a struggle. I want to be present and more involved in my marriage. The idea of me holding back, pretending I understand and acting like I get it, is a problem. I need your help to face my fears and griefs. Amen.

Bible Insight

Consider Eve in the Garden. Eve chose to follow bad advice and false beliefs. There were heavy, negative consequences: “You will not surely die, the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat of it (the fruit) your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So, she ate. – Genesis 3:4-5 (NKJV)

Summary: False beliefs, when acted upon, result in grief.