Lament for a Son: Grieving Process One might ask themselves can peace and joy be found again after the loss of a loved one. Many individuals go through the stages of grief differently, and they should have the right to take their time in the grieving process (HealGrief, 2012). Through God we can find the comfort and strength to go on after the loss of a loved one. According to the Bible death will no longer be present in Gods kingdom, and we will no longer be in pain or suffering. It is with this understanding that hope allows us the opportunity to move forward, that one day we will meet our loved ones again. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Wolsterstorff’s experience with the loss of his son in the stages of grief in Lament for a son, meaning and significance of death, joy, and hope of resurrection.
Stages of Grief in Lament for a Son In the book of Lament for a son, Wolsterstorff experiences the five stages of grief which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. According to Kubler-Ross when an individual is confronted with an illness or a loss of a loved one they are in denial of the situation (Axelrod, 2014). Denial is when an individual cannot except or believe that their loved one has died (Axelrod, 2014). In…show more content… I will accept joy” (Wolterstorff, 1987, p. 54). His joy and acceptance of his son is also demonstrated in this passage “Perhaps there’s something more in what Jesus meant. Not only is there a new day of peace coming. To those who mourn the absence of that day is disclosed already the heart of God” (Wolterstorff, 1987, p. 88). He further illustrates this biblical scripture that gives him hope “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him” (Wolterstorff, 1987, p.