Day 11 – Permission to Grieve
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
In a world that rushes past sorrow, mourning can make you feel like you “aren’t doing it right.” People may urge you to cheer up, move on, or “look on the bright side.” But Scripture offers a different rhythm: There is a time to mourn.
Your tears are not a problem to fix. The pain you feel is real. They are a sacred expression of love. Feeling grief means something mattered—someone mattered.
God never asks you to pretend to be happy or fake being joyful. He invites you to enter the sacred space of sorrow with honesty. Mourning is not weakness—it is worship. The same God who sings over you also weeps with you.
You have permission to grieve. Not just for a moment—but for as long as it takes.
Practice for Today
Light a candle in memory of what or whom you’ve lost. Let the flame be a symbol of sacred mourning. Say aloud, “I give myself permission to grieve.”
Journaling Prompt
What parts of your grief have I tried to hide? What would it look like if I grieved freely, without guilt?
Closing Blessing
Feel the holiness of your grief.
You are not broken for weeping.
You are brave for feeling.
Every tear you cry is seen and sanctified.
Pray as You Go
Inhale: I am allowed to grieve…
Exhale: …You are with me in it.