Sheryl Griffin
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You Are Not Alone

1/22/2015

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(Today January 22, 2015 is the forty first anniversary of Roe vs. Wade and the legalization of abortion.  I am posting blogs I have previously posted to bring attention to the common thread among those of us (men and women) who have chosen abortion and suffer with regret, guilt or shame. You are NOT alone and there IS hope!)

(Originally posted Wednesday, January 22, 2013)

January 22, 2013 marked forty years since abortion became legal in the United States.  This December, will mark thirty two years ago, since my first abortion.  This is not something I am proud about, nor is it something I would choose ever again. 

When I speak on the topic of Forgiveness I share my testimony on abortion and learning to walk through forgiving others, forgiving myself, and learning to accept God's forgiveness.

I had the opportunity to share a little bit of my testimony on this topic as a guest on 94Fm The Fish. Here are the links to the two breaks we did.  Sharing with Doug and Jaci on The Fish part 1 and Sharing with Doug and Jaci on The Fish part 2

During the interview I mention a retreat I went on with a small group of women who also had abortion in their past.   If you have abortion in your past, I highly recommend attending this retreat or a similar program. Click here for more information on this retreat.

To read more about my experience and hope after abortion here are two other blogs previously posted one in February 2011  I am Pro Life but... and another I wrote in February 2012, titled Life After Abortion.


One of the comments that continues to come up after someone finds out about my past with abortion is...."I thought I was the only one!"  So many women (and men) suffer in silence with guilt and shame because, they think they are the only person who has professed to be a Christian, and yet has abortion in their past. We tend to categorize sin and add our interpretation of what may or may not be forgivable. When we focus on what God say's about sin, we understand that sin is sin, and God hates all sin, because it separates us from Him.  We also need to remember  there is nothing new under the sun and when Christ died on the cross, He knew what He was doing for, He knew who He was doing it for, and He knew why He was doing it. 


Ecclesiastes 1:9 That which has been is that which will be,And that which has been done is that which will be done.So there is nothing new under the sun.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far He removed our transgressions from us.  

There is always HOPE!
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Five Facts About Grief

1/15/2015

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Grief is a word that conjures up images of sadness, despair, and even fear. Grief is a word no one wants to endure. We can experience grief over the death of a loved one, a broken relationship, the unexpected loss of a job or career, a medical diagnosis, a broken trust, unmet relationship expectations, and the list can go on and on. Grief and what brings us to the state of grief looks and feels differently for everyone. 

Several years ago it was brought to my attention by my trusted psychologist, that I had a fear of grief. At first I thought that was absurd. How can I be afraid of a “feeling?” After talking about it for a while, I knew she was correct. I was afraid of grief! I was terrified to allow myself to experience the depth that comes with grief and sorrow. 


Since early childhood I had been conditioned (unintentionally) not to show many emotions outside of joy and happiness. I learned at a young age to stuff fear, disappointment, anger, and pain deep inside my heart. This behaviour unfortunately led to co-dependent patterns and people pleasing approaches that ultimately led to an abusive unhealthy first marriage.

I have since learned that while grief is not pleasant it is also not something to fear.

Five Facts About Grief

1. Grief is an emotion that God created...there is a time and a purpose for every season and emotion in life.

2. Everyone experiences grief at different levels...there is not a right or specific way to grieve or to experience/feel it.

3. Jesus Himself allowed grief, sorrow, and mourning into His life. ( John 11:33-35, Matthew 21:12-13, Matthew 27:46)

4. Grief is a process. There is not a specific pattern, length, or solution for grief other than to go through it. Each situation is unique. Each person will go through the process differently.

5. Ignoring, diminishing, or trying to avoid grief or sorrow does not make “it” go away.

Give yourself the grace to grieve. Seek support and prayer from trusted sources. Lean into your faith and know that at times it may not feel like it but, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4), "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"(Romans 8:28), and "The Lord is near the brokenhearted." (Psalm 34:18) 



There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 


Click HERE to listen to David Crowder's song Come As You Are


Click HERE to read more about Complicated Grief


Click HERE to read more about Understand the Grieving Process


There is always HOPE!















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         Sheryl Griffin

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    As an author and speaker, I desire to encourage others in their search for hope.  I invite you to follow my blog as I write from my heart, my experiences, and from a biblical perspective.  The topics I blog about vary from writing about my testimony, my marriage to Doug, parenting, forgiveness, and much more.  I welcome your comments and feedback and encourage you to check back often.  There is always hope!  


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