Grief 02: The Science Behind Processing Grief—An Interview with Matthew LaPine

Mar 1

Have you ever wondered if your feelings are “normal” when navigating a hard season? Maybe we’re more easily irritated, shed tears more often, or even find ourselves apathetic or emotionless to what’s happening around us. In this episode, Emily and Laura chat with counselor and theologian Matthew LaPine on the science behind how our bodies process grief. Matt also shares a few trends to help a mom identify when it might be time to seek professional help. As we look at the ways God designed our bodies to respond and process in seasons of suffering, we can be reminded that he has knit us together in perfect design, and we can find refuge in our Maker even on the darkest of days.

*While this series is meant to be an encouragement to you in times of grief, we know that a podcast episode can’t speak to the specific details and struggles of your day-to-day life. If you’re walking through a season of deep grief, please reach out to a trusted friend, mentor, counselor, and/or medical professional that can speak into your specific circumstances. This series is not meant to give personal advice or be a substitute for professional help.

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Matthew LaPine is the Director of Christian Education at Citylight Church in Omaha, NE. He holds a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL) under Kevin Vanhoozer. He writes on theology, emotion, and mental health. His book, The Logic of the Body (Lexham Press), was a finalist for Christianity Today's Book of the Year in Theology and Ethics in 2022.

Mentioned on the Show:

Learn more about Matthew LaPine on his website and Instagram
Citylight Church - Omaha, NE
The Logic of the Body by Matthew LaPine
Grief Series Landing Page
Listen to the Grief Series Spotify Playlist
Mary-Frances O’Connor: How Grief Changes the Brain
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross - 5 Stages of Grief
Crash Course History - Sympathetic Nervous System
Romans 8:11; Romans 8:23
Romans 8:18
Revelation 21:1-4
Lamentations 5:21-22
Lamentations 3:22-23
Psalm 13
Psalm 42
Psalm 43
John 1:14
Philippians 1:21
The Gravity of Joy by Angela Gorrell
Ephesians 4:15
2 Corinthians 1:1-5
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Related Resources from R|M:

Risen Motherhood x Every Moment Holy:
*Liturgies for Grieving Moms*

We’ve partnered with our friends at *Every Moment Holy* to create an exclusive download filled with liturgies for different types of grief we experience as moms. This download is completely free when you sign up for the Risen Motherhood email list—fill out the form below to get this free download straight to your inbox!

R|M Apply Questions:

Take some time to look at your current season of life—is there something you’re grieving? If something significant has happened in your life recently and you haven’t yet taken the time to cry out to the Lord and process it, consider taking a day or even a couple of hours to pray and journal.
Read Romans 8:18. As you walk through grief, what does it look like to set your eyes on the glory that will be revealed in heaven? What might God be doing in your heart now as you experience sorrow today?
Consider your community. Do you have godly women in your life who can point you to Christ and provide gospel encouragement in the midst of suffering? If not, how can you pursue those women and invest in relationships so that you have a ‘cloud of witnesses’ (Heb. 12:1) when you walk through a season of grief? If you don’t know any women in your life that can encourage you in the gospel, spend time in prayer asking the Lord for this type of provision.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-5. This passage outlines the beauty of lifting one another up in comfort just as we do in our suffering. If you’re not currently in a season of grief, who can you comfort and encourage that maybe grieving right now? Reach out to her today with a text or in-person visit.

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