christian grief counseling

Christian Spiritual Counseling and Direction: Pain, Suffering & the Merit of Suffering in Life

Posted on by Mark Moran

One of the things we naturally seek to avoid first in life is pain.  The body’s nervous system is designed to identify injury through nerve receptors warning the brain of damage through the impulse one experiences as pain.  The art of healing and medicine itself surrounds itself with the motto of “do not harm”.   Pain reduction and pain relief medications are key parts of many individuals daily consumption.  And even with grief counseling and pastoral care, counselors look to make a person comfortable and at peace-reducing pain.  Physical pain can be acute to an injury , disease or infirmity, but it can also take forms in negation, such as the absence of comfort, food, or warmth.  Hunger, coldness, or exposure can lead to great pain and discomfort.  Pain is hence the burrs of life as opposed to the glows of it.  Instead of the soft touch, it is the brute strike, instead of the gentle rub, it is the piercing blow-it is the unpleasant sense or feeling associated with discomfort or even possible damage to the body.

Christians can tie their sufferings to Christ and find redemptive value. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Grief Counseling Program

This of course applies to one type of pain, namely physical pain.  The burr and sensation of this physical stimuli is but one negative experiences that one could equate as “pain”.   Pain and suffering as a negation of pleasure and happiness encompasses other parts of being beyond the mere body but also can affect the mind and soul.  The positive glows and sensations of love are torn away through negative burrs of isolation, separation, rejection, loss, and hate.   Joy is replaced with discontent, anxiety and depression.  Security can be met with fear or longing.  Indeed, the pains of the mind are in many ways far worst than the pains of the body.   One needs to only look at the horrendous loss experiences of a parent who loses a child, or other close losses of family and friends.  The suffering tied to acute pain is temporary and tied to a wound, but the suffering tied to a mental wound, loss, death, or trauma is tied to a life time.

The temporal world to the Christian is a fallen world tied to this reality.  It is because of the sin of Adam that death and suffering entered into human existence.  Adam’s descendants inherited the fallen world and became prey to the desolation of “this valley of tears”.  God, however, in His infinite mercy sent His only Son to redeem humanity from sin.  However, in doing so, He too suffered.  He suffered a life where the world knew Him not, arriving in a cold stable, to be ushered into a life of little luxuries while working tirelessly under His father as a carpenter.  Yet not demanding the royal life that justice demanded, He humbled Himself and in His daily life offered Himself to God in not only discomforts, but also numerous pains and aches of daily life.  He shared in a person’s daily griefs and losses.  He buried His father, Joseph, and wept over the execution of His cousin, St John the Baptist, and again wept, in Scripture, over the death of Lazarus prior to rising him.  These pains and sufferings could have alone redeemed humanity, but sin demanded so much more.  The evil world and its inclinations would not allow Christ’s escape so easy.  Instead, Christ was brutally beaten, scourge and crucified for humanity’s redemption.  Yet, through this pain and suffering that so many avoid, Christ embraced.  He embraced His cross, carried it and offered Himself.  Christ, the Suffering Servant, redeemed humanity through suffering and served as an example to those who followed how to live a holy and good life in a fallen world.   Christ told His followers to also take up their cross, but St Paul also reminds us that those who suffer with Christ, will also rise in Christ!

This is the Christian message.  It is quite different than the message of the world.  Where the world looks to avoid inconvenience and complain about misgivings, Christ teaches us to offer them up.  Where the world teaches to reject our cross or hardships, Christ teaches us to embrace them.  Where the world sees power in pride and comfort, Christ sees glory in humility and sacrifice.  Ultimately, the world’s promise is empty.  It may claim a recipe for pleasure but it fails to meet the needs of happiness.  Everything in the world can be taken away, even our loved ones.  Illusions of happiness tied to avarice and greed lead one to a false worship and bad priorities.

One may reply that such a desire to suffer is foolish and blind and quite pessimistic outlook on life, but what we will see  is quite the opposite.  The Christian approach to pain and suffering is not one of despair or loss but one of realistic optimism.  Realistic in that it acknowledges the darkness and pains of this world, but optimistic in that through Christ, there is another reality that is perfect and free from pain and suffering. Romans 8:18 declares that our present sufferings cannot compare to the eternal glory and 1 Peter 5:10 assures us that our suffering here will be little and through Christ we will be restored.  We must remember, with Christ we die, but also with Christ we rise!

Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Grief Counseling Program.

A Christian View of Suffering that is Redemptive and Finds Meaning

A secular person may find it quite silly to accept pain and suffering.  He or she might also find it odd to purposely fast, or seek out discomfort.  Of course, Christians do not want to suffer, nor does God wish for us to suffer, but the reality of the temporal world is that suffering and loss occurs.  This is not because God is a cruel sadist, but because of sin.  The free will of Adam and the discord of Lucifer play the villainous reasons for the reality of suffering.  Christians do not truly seek out suffering but they accept it.  They accept it because one cannot escape the reality of it but also they embrace the opportunity it affords because it helps shape and give meaning to life.  Christ showed that suffering can be redemptive and for His followers to also take up their cross.  Scripture states, “For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him (Philipp 1:20).  Again in Gal.2:19, “With Christ I am nailed to the cross”.  St Paul exclaims “Who now rejoices in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church (Col. 1:24)

We are called to carry our crosses in this world

So what is the purpose of this suffering then?  If Christ paid atonement for the sins of humanity, why must humanity suffer too for those sins?  Again, Christ told His followers to take up their cross and the Apostles faced gruesome ends of execution in that path, so Christians too are called to be suffering pilgrims in this cold world.  Christ alone paid the price of sin via the redemption, but through Baptism, Christians must access the grace and merits of Jesus’ blood to their souls through a working faith and working salvation.  Faith is more than a mere assent to Christ as Savior, but faith entails fruits, for St James states, “faith without works is dead”.  This in no way dares assume that one’s works or suffering merit one’s redemption and therefore salvation.  A Christians sufferings and works without faith and grace are meaningless.   A monk could abstain, fast and offer a multitude of discomforts but none of these actions alone without Christ have any merit to his salvation.  Christ is the High Priest and sole Mediator.  He is both the Priest and Victim and the source of humanity’s redemption.  In this way, in taking up one’s cross, individuals must unite their works and sufferings to Christ.  If one fasts, or one offers up an insult, or patiently endures criticism, or fasts, or quietly endures a physical pain, they must offer these things to Christ and tie them solely to Him to offer to the Father.   When alone these gestures are meaningless and powerless, but when tied to Christ, they become salvific.  They become an application of His redemption to oneself in the form of grace to oneself or others.

As St Paul points out the analogy of  the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ throughout Ephesians, Colossians and Corinthians. Christ is the Head and the baptized are its Body and Members.  Through this, one’s sufferings is felt throughout the Body of Christ and when directed to the Head, who is Christ, then it can be used as a key to unlock many graces earned by Christ through His redemption.  One’s sufferings that are offered to Christ in this way are not part of the redemption itself, but an unlocking of it for self and others which allows one to bathe in the Blood of Christ and the merits of it.  These sufferings are then not redemptive in that it subtracts from Christ’s sacrifice or adds to it, but they allow one to share in it.  Christ alone paid for the debt of sin but our sufferings can allow one to share in it and also apply the merits earned by the cross.  In doing so, one, as stated in Romans 12:1, is able “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice”, and as Paul also points again as a “working faith” (Gal 5:6)

Through Christ, suffering then becomes redemptive and a way to apply the mysteries and grace of the cross.   Without Christ, the secular person would be correct to find the absurdity to embrace it or even seek it, but through Christ suffering is more than temporal loss and pain but a redemptive force that finds meaning alone in the death of Christ with the promise of resurrection.

This perfectly balances Christ’s lone and sufficient redemptive work but also illustrates the role working faith and suffering plays in applying that sacrifice.  Unlike the heretical theology of Pelagius, we do not earn redemption, for it is a gift alone, but unlike the extremities of Luther, we are not merely passively redeemed either.  The sacrifice was once and perfect and sufficient but we must seek it.  Scripture is clear that this starts with the assent of faith that is followed through the work of faith.  Hence all suffering we offer is not redemptive as if to add or substract from the passion of Christ or as to earn our forgiveness but it is accessing the salvation and graces earned by Christ for our sins.

Offering it Up

As stated, when suffering is united to Christ, we share in Christ’s suffering and our suffering has meaning and redemptive value for ourselves.  This does not mean it replaces, or adds, or even subtracts the pain of Christ on the cross, but it allow one to share in those sufferings of Christ and unite their own sufferings to the Father through Christ.  Without such a thing, these trivial inconveniences, or sufferings would be meaningless in the infinite vastness of a lifetime.  However, when tied to Christ, they become applicable.  They can tap into Christ’s redemption and apply its fruits to oneself or throughout the Body of Christ.  In our suffering, we are in no way becoming a co-redeemer, but merely sharing what Christ has done and applying it.  This gives great meaning to simple discomforts, or aches, when offered to the Father through Christ.  Again Romans 12:12 states “be patient in affliction”.   In addition, one can seek to atone for one’s past sins through penance and offerings to God through Christ in these sufferings.  By tying our own sufferings to Christ, we can apply more fruitfully the infinite merits of Christ to our soul and partake in the great gift earned by Christ for us on the cross.  Through offerings, one can burn in love for Christ on earth.

Offering something up without Christ is meaningless, but when we tie our sacrifice to Christ and share in His sufferings, there is great merit

One has the great opportunity to turn a product of sin into a transforming and redemptive experience with meaning beyond this world.  One can offer up one’s daily duty and all the trials and tribulations that come with it.  One can unite one’s cross with Christ and find meaning in the pain and suffering.  By imitating Christ and then uniting everything to Him as our sole Mediator and High Priest, one can spiritually transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

In offering things up, the soul also cures the body.  The soul reasserts its mastery over the broken bond due to the sin of Adam.  The temporal body is inclined to its passions and comforts, but through offerings to God through fasting, abstaining and sufferings, one reclaims mastery over the body and teaches it discipline.  One teaches the body the disciplines of control and moderation and allows the Holy Spirit to infuse and share the virtues of purity and temperance.   The body learns to avoid lust, gluttony, greed and the comfort and solace of physical things and instead to seek the spiritual companionship of Christ.  The body then not only offers reparation through Christ for its sins but seeks to cultivate within it a more pleasing abode for the Holy Spirit.  In this way, suffering is not only redemptive but also sculpting.  Through fire, the soul is purged and made clean and as the Scripture teaches, helps the body learn perseverance, need of God and hope (Romans 5:3-4)

Still many souls seek to become closer to Christ through suffering.  They wish to share with Christ their sufferings as a simple offering to His altar.  Like Simon of Cyrene, who was called to help carry Christ’s cross, they seek to partake and share in this suffering.  Of course Simon did not redeem humanity, but he played a special role in sharing with Christ the cross, much like a server at the altar before the priest, he plays a role in preparing the sacrifice but is not the sacrifice itself.  Others wish to offer simple offerings, much like St Veronica who wiped the face of Christ during the carrying of His cross- such a simple and small consolation!  Yet, like a parent who accepts even the smallest and insignificant gift from a child, such acts of sweetness and love have great meaning.  As a parent, so does Christ find great consolation and love when a spiritual child wishes to share with Him in His grief.  While such simple consolations cannot subtract from the sufferings He endured, they can offer reparation, worship and love for what He did.   While the Romans and Jews mocked Him, we can offer to Him, especially during Lent, our sufferings and consolations.  By offering one’s sufferings as an act of gratitude to Christ, we like a small child, offer the smallest gift, but still a gift that our Lord greatly appreciates.  In that echo of history, within that timeless sacrifice of Christ, He can hear our soothing words among the hateful jeers of the crowd, and He can sense our offering, as small as it is, as a consolation and sharing with Him.

Many saints before sought to share intimately and deeply their sufferings with Christ in this way.  Some saints simply did through the most simple deeds of their daily duty, or through the quiet of an injustice, while others shared this through martyrdom and death for Christ.  Some even mystically, such as St Francis of Assisi or Padre Pio shared in Christ’s suffering through the stigmata.  These acts of charity and love for Christ from smallest to biggest all carry value when tied to Him. He finds immense joy when those who saved seek to offer love and reparation to Him by applying His death to one’s merit.

Conclusion

Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification Program as well as its Christian Grief Program

Suffering can only have meaning in the fallen world and be redemptive through Christ.  Christ first set the example by not only His life but also through His cross.  His redemption was complete and satisfactory for all sin, but not all people accepted this great gift for their sins.  When we offer up our sufferings, alone they are meaningless, but when we offer them in union with Christ, we apply the merits earned on Calvary by Christ for our soul.  In this way, random acts of the day, as well as suffering, when united with Christ, permit the soul to share in the sufferings of Christ and also apply its merits for reparation.  Christian tradition teaches that one must carry his or her cross and that one who suffers with Christ will rise with Christ.  This gives new meaning to suffering and its redemptive power.  Christ conquered death through His resurrection and turned suffering into a redemptive quality that when tied to Him becomes a pleasing sacrifice to the Father.  We can actively partake, share and apply the merits of Christ to our soul as well as offer acts of charity to the crucified Christ for such a gift.  In this way, suffering has great merit to the Christian as well as granting meaning and definition to the most senseless and painful things.

Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification as well as its Christian Grief Counseling Program.

Additional AIHCP Blogs

Christian Suffering and Job- Access here

Christian Suffering: A Unique Theism- Access here

Faith and Loss- Access here

Additional Resources

John Paul 2 (1984).  “Salvifici Doloris”. Access here

Understanding Suffering in Christian Life. Bible Hub. Access here

Pastor David. (2025). 35 Important Bible Verses About Suffering As A Christian (Explained). Bible Repository.  Access here

Anointing of the Sick and a Peaceful Christian Death

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Death entered into the world as a result of sin but through Christ, new life and a new beginning is granted.  While fearing death is natural, the Christian can see death as a transition not a final chapter.  It is a doorway to new life and the fullest life possible.  It is not in the temporal world, where humanity’s nature is complete and unbroken, but only in the next life.  In the next life, the soul is reunified with God and through the promised General Resurrection, the guarantee of unification of again and body and soul.  Hence death is not an end but a phase of existence that is only temporary and an opening into a world so much larger.  It thus extremely important to ensure that transition to the next life is a priority.  This is the case for all world religions, but also the same for Christianity.  With Heaven or Hell for eternity in the balance, ensuring a proper and good death with God is essential and vital.

Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament in Catholic and Orthodox faiths and a sacred ritual in other Christian denominations for the spiritual renewal of the dying person

 

Christianity has since its conception emphasized the importance of preparing for death.  The Anointing of the Sick has its origins in Scripture. The Apostle James comments, “is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven (James 5:14-15).

Different Christian traditions all believe in the value of anointing in the sick and terminally ill, but others classify it differently.  In Catholicism and Orthodoxy it is a sacrament.  The Anglican Church considers it to have sacramental character and in most Lutheran and other Protestant denominations, see it as a critical ritual of the faith.   As a sacrament, The Anointing of the Sick, and in the past, Extreme Unction, is an outward sign used to manifest and give grace to the soul.  As a sacrament, it gives grace through the source of Christ’s death on the cross that flows through the Holy Spirit to the soul.   It can be received multiple times depending on the grave danger of the person’s condition.   Hence, it can be received in multiple terminal or possible death situations, whether in the hospital or home.  In the Orthodox, it can also be utilized in communal services.  In the West, under extraordinary circumstances, such as before war, soldiers and certain qualifying groups may receive it.

The matter, or visible sign, is the blessed holy oil.  This oil in the West is blessed by diocesan bishop on Holy Thursday.  In the East, this oil can be received throughout the year at the end of Liturgy on certain feast days but in itself is not the sacrament but used for overall physical and spiritual healing and continued good health.  The form of the sacrament constitutes the various prayers and words offered by the priest or minister during the administration of the sacrament.

Holy Oil is used to anoint the sick. It is the visible sign of healing and presence of the grace of God preparing the soul for the next life

 

Last Rites is sometimes confused with Anointing of the Sick.  It is important to note in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, Last Rites entails three sacraments.  Anointing, confession and reception of the Eucharist.

The effects of the sacrament and ritual has multiple sacramental and grace infused benefits to the soul.  It forgives sin but also prepares the soul to peacefully accept death and prepare it for reunion with God.  Physically it can heal but healing and miracles are alone determined by the will of God.  There are miraculous cases but these are extraordinary examples and not the norm.  Death is natural and the healing is more so focused on the spiritual than physical.  Although from a physical and psychological standpoint, the ritual can bring mental peace and a presence of God within the mind of the person.  It is comforting to know that Christ is present with one in one’s suffering and death.

Throughout the study of suffering and Christian grief, the Christian does not seek to escape death, deny it, or even escape suffering, but is called to carry one’s cross and unify it with Christ as one’s High Priest.  Christ is the ultimate example of the Suffering Servant and His example of accepting death and suffering should inspire other Christians to do the same.  While always praying for a cure or miracle, the Christian should also be accepting of God’s will.  One should primarily seek spiritual healing and God’s presence in one’s final moments.

During the reception of Anointing, one may be unconscious or awake, but it is critical to voice the need prior of the desire to receive it.  Family or nurses should be made aware of one’s desire to see a minister or priest.  This can be laid out in healthcare directives and becomes critically important if one becomes unconscious and unable to ask for spiritual aid in person.  Also, it is important prior to risky surgery or potential unconsciousness due to drug induced states to request Anointing of the Sick.  Most in everyday procedures that are not risky may simply say a short prayer of contrition and adoration before simple anesthesia but with far more risky procedure one should never leave one’s soul open to possible spiritual risk and danger.

Through Anointing of the sick, Christ comes to us in our dying moments. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Grief Counseling Program

 

In conclusion, spiritual preparation before death is critical.  If it happens like a thief in the night, one may receive the sacrament post mortem but one should always pray both morning and night proclaiming love of God and sorrow for sins.  One of the most beautiful things one can pray for is a peaceful death where one is able to receive the sacred mysteries in advance.  This is a blessing that many sometimes never think of due to the fear of thinking about death itself.  However, a peaceful Christian death with grace and the image of God is the greatest gift that may be given in this world.

Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification as well as its Christian Grief Counseling Program.  Both programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification.

Additional Resources

“WHAT IS ANOINTING OF THE SICK? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?”. Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis. (2006). Access here

“The Anointing of the Sick – Catechism of the Catholic Church”. Catechism of the Catholic Church. CNA. Access here

“Is Anointing Oil Biblical and Should We Use It Today?”. Riggleman, H. (2021). Crosswalk. Access here

“40 Bible Verses about Anointing With Oil”. Knowing Jesus.  Access here

 

The Stations as a Source of Counseling for the Bereaved

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Stations, Grief and Counseling

Many individuals suffer in life unfairly.  None more than Jesus Christ.  His passion and death serve as an example to Christians how to properly offer suffering to God and carry one’s own cross.  The Way of the Cross is not an easy choice in life.  It involves accepting the will of God and having utter faith in His ultimate plan.  As in the life of His own Son, the journey of the cross may not be a pleasant on earth.  Christians can meditate on the Stations of the Cross to better learn about suffering and the value of it.  It can be a tool to help others appreciate Christ’s suffering and sacrifice and also allow one to see Christ as a model of suffering to follow.   Christ tells all, to pick up one’s cross and to follow Him.  This may not be the news we wanted but it the is the news we need.

Christian Counselors, pastors, ministers, and priests all face suffering everyday when they speak to many who experience the worst in life, but by pointing to the cross, one can find an example of how to properly carry one’s cross in obedience even to death.  Christ as our suffering servant serves as an ultimate example but also shows us the love of God Himself to die on a cross for our sins.  This is why it is important to learn the Way of the Cross and to implement it into our spiritual life especially during Lent.

Many who walk the way of the cross, recount many parts of the four Gospels, while other parts stem from tradition or mere common sense.  From tradition, meditation and other accounts, many incidents that occurred during Christ’s trek to Calvary can be meditated and prayed upon.  It is essential in meditation to think back and suffer with Christ in thanksgiving and sorrow for His infinite gift of life.  One can learn so much by this meditation on the stations and become so much closer to Christ in the process.

History of the Stations

So what are the Stations of the Cross?  The Stations as a custom fall back to the 4th Century, when Christians could again in public walk the path of Christ in Jerusalem.  Upon the meditations, 14 points of emphasis emerged that highlighted Christ’s passion.  Again, some of these points of emphasis stemmed from Scripture, while others tradition.   Examples include the Christ’s multiple fallings and the pain of the women and Veronica.   These would be obvious occurrences and were related through other sources or as understood.  For instance, through the many meditations, devotion to the wounds of Christ on His Shoulder from the weight of the cross, or the bleeding of His knees from His many falls grew within the faithful.

The Stations hence were an early Christian devotion that emerged from the East and still to this day for pilgrims is a spiritual exercise.  It became a more consistent tradition in the West, when St Francis of Assisi brought the tradition back to his monastery from his trip to the Holy Land.  Through St Francis, the journey of Christ’s crucifixion became a more consistent tradition in the West communally and also individually.   To this day, the tradition is practiced in Western Churches during Lent with personal devotion any time of the year.

The Stations themselves consist of 14 stations.  Through the years different prayers have been compiled to accompany the faithful through the meditation of Christ’s sorrow or as it is also called the Way of Sorrow or Via Dolorosa.  The priest, deacon or chosen prayer leader walks to each station usually accompanied by a cross bearer.  Usually each station is accompanied with an opening repetitive prayer such as ” We adore you Christ and we bless you-because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world”  Within each station is a meditation and then a series of prayers with the congregation kneeling at certain points facing the particular station within the Church.   There have emerged different traditions with different focal points.  Some are the more traditional prayers while other ones focus on the thoughts of Mary during her Son’s horrible torture.

The stations teach Christians how to face suffering through imitation of Christ through His suffering and death on the cross

 

The Stations

We will now list the 14 Stations.

The First station is Christ before Pilot.

The Second station portrays Christ accepting His cross

The Third station recounts Christ’s first fall

The Fourth station accounts for Christ’s meeting with His Mother during His long trek to Calvary

The Fifth station refers to Simon helping Christ carry His cross

The Sixth station mentions the wiping of Christ’s face by Veronica

The Seventh station recounts Christ’s Second Fall

The Eighth station remembers the grief of the holy women

The Ninth station recounts Christ’s third fall

The Tenth station is the stripping of Christ garments

The Eleventh station reminds us of Christ’s horrible torment of being nailed to the cross

The Twelfth station is Christ’s crucifixion on the cross

The Thirteenth station is the removal of Christ from the cross

The Fourteenth station is the sealing of the tomb

Commentary

As one can see, the stations carry deep and meditative thoughts regarding Christ’s death.  Much of it stems from Scripture.  In this way, both Catholics and Protestants can find common ground in their Christian faith in celebrating and meditating upon these divine mysteries.  They feed the soul through scripture itself and also remind the soul of the great price Christ paid on the cross.  This is also why the stations are so beautiful as an aide to the suffering.

The stations show Christ as the ultimate example of accepting difficulty and hardship and showing obedience to God’s will.  They show the love of many towards Christ during His death and also show the pain of Mary, a mother, over the cruel death of her Son.  The lessons from the Stations and application to them to difficulty in life are without equal.

The stations bring us to the Holy Land, they take us to the heart of Mary, and help us appreciate the beauty and love of God through His death on the cross.  The stations allow us the honor to walk with Christ and to accompany Him and offer Him worship.  It teaches us the humility of Christ, the obedience of Christ, and the love of Christ.  It shows us the power of suffering in a fallen world and how Christ could turn death into life.

From a practical stand point, it helps us face our own crosses and Calvary and shows us to turn to Christ for help in offering our own cross in this life.

How many can learn from Christ through the Stations?

Wrongly accused?

Carrying unfair burden

Losing a son

Accepting one’s cross

Forgiving one’s enemies

Dying for a friend

Displaying humility and dignity in evil situations

In counseling, the bereaved and persecuted can find solace in the Stations while they mediate upon the sorrows of Christ.  Christ as the ultimate example, not only died for our sins, but also taught us through His behavior during His passion how to face evil in this world.

We learn through the Stations, the obedience, humility and love Christ possessed in His heart.

 

Conclusion

It is very recommended that all Christians participate in the celebration of the stations both communally and individually.  It is an act of adoration and thanksgiving to Christ but also a beautiful way to learn and understand the true meaning of Christian suffering.

Whether Catholic, Protestant or non -denominational, the worship of Christ through the meditation upon the Stations is a universal Christian tradition for all to share as Christians in one Baptism.

Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Grief Counseling Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification.  Those who have already earned the basic Grief Counseling Certification and work in ministry are excellent candidates to earn this secondary certification in Grief Counseling.  The certification captures the unique perspective Christianity has on grief and how Christian Counselors, spiritual advisors, pastors, ministers and priests can better help Christians spiritually grieve in this fallen world.

Additional Resources

“Stations of the Cross”. Francis of Assisi. My Catholic Life! A journey of personal conversion!. Access here

“Praying Stations of the Cross, a Primer for Protestants”. Selah Center.  April 9th, 2022. Access here

“Four Reasons to Pray the Stations of the Cross Daily”. Philip Kosloski. Access here

 

Christian Grief Counseling Article on Mourning a Loss Through Christ

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Short article on how Christians should face the death of a loved one.  Christians are not immune to grief and loss but share a special bond with Christ in suffering.  Christ alleviates our crosses by helping us carry them because he experienced suffering himself.  Through this unique bond, the Christian can offer all loss and pain to Christ who in turn can offer it to the Father.  Grief has the potential to be a transforming event in a Christian’s life like all suffering.  It can retain spiritual value when tied to Jesus Christ.

Christians grieve no differently emotionally but spiritually through Christ they can offer it to God
Christians grieve no differently emotionally but spiritually through Christ they can offer it to God

The article, “How Should Christians Approach the Death of a Loved One?” by Megan Bailey investigates closer how Christians deal with the death of a loved one.  The article states,

The pain of a loved one is something we all must face at some point in our lives. While grief is an expected response to a significant loss, the unfamiliar emotions that arise can lead to feelings of helplessness, fear and isolation. As Christians, we can find hope in God and use Him as a source of comfort.

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Christian Grief Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional needs.