02/16/2026
Over the past 29 years, as a therapist, I have had the honor of supporting many of my clients through some of the most difficult times of grief. During the COVID epidemic, that opened the world to wave after wave of fear, loss and grief, my family was struck with the news that my father’s cancer had returned and was terminal. Watching my father at the end of his days on this earth really stirred a lot of reflection on the ways God redeems painful moments. Walking through grief, changes people. The sober reality that grief can bring, may be the very crucible that God uses to bring awareness to deep truths, that we might quickly move past in the everyday busyness of life.
It was during this time of reflection, that God started to nudge me to write a book about the changes that can occur upon the crucible of loss. Mine was not the only story that he wanted me to share. Several people began to flood into my mind with their own stories of loss and grief. It quickly became clear to me that God wanted me to invite others to share their stories and encourage others who can feel very lonely in the valley of the shadow…
Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near, (Psalm 23:1&4, TPT).
Nine other brave souls, joined me in writing The Crucible of Loss, which was released in May 2023. Within the pages of the book, you will find several testimonies of redemption and transformation from the pain of loss. Although each story is unique, woven within each one are common threads of the gift of surrender. You will discover the personal revelations that have left lives forever changed. We have already been blessed by some of the responses from our readers. I received a message from a woman in Florida, who purchased the book. She shared that when she opened the book for the first time, she turned to the chapter titled Ryan’s Song. This chapter was written by Kimberly Wilaniskis about the tragic loss of her son Ryan several years ago. The woman was surprised that this was the first chapter she was drawn to because she had also lost her son named Ryan before he turned 20. God’s lovingkindness is never failing. Only God can take a mother in Tennessee and comfort the heart of another mother in Florida! We invite you to read our stories and share them with others who may also need the comfort and encouragement that redemption can bring to a season of grief.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us, (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT).
We all have a story to share about the unexpected turns in life. Surrender to the creator of the story means that we can rest in the assurance that with every twist and turn of the plot, in the end love wins. As certain as we are that we would like to write our own story, God’s version welds the power of redeeming love that brings hope for our future.
Steps in Pursuit
Take time to reach out to someone walking through a season of grief with some encouraging words this week.
Identify some ways that God has redeemed loss and pain in your life and thank him for his lovingkindness. Psalm 36:7, “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings,” (NKJV).
Journaling is a helpful way of processing thoughts and emotions. If you are currently dealing with unresolved grief, try setting some time aside to write about what you are experiencing.
If you would like to read more about our stories, you can purchase The Crucible of Loss on Amazon.
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
