Grief is universal. It touches every person, every family, every age, and every season of life. When it arrives, it has a way of knocking the wind out of us. It doesn't matter whether the loss is sudden or expected, physical or emotional, recent or decades old. 

Grief interrupts our rhythm, destabilizes our identity, and confronts us with a version of life we never thought we'd have to live. And while we often talk about "moving on," the truth is that grief reshapes us long before it ever releases us.

But here's the paradox we don't talk about enough: grief is heavy, painful, and often disorienting… and yet, it's not something we're meant to carry alone. The same God who meets us in worship, in joy, and in celebration also meets us in sorrow; not to erase our pain, but to walk with us through it.

Scripture shows us again and again that sorrow and joy are not opposites; they're companions. You can mourn deeply and still encounter peace. You can lose someone you love and still find your way back to meaning. You can feel shattered and still be held.

What complicates this journey is that the body of Christ often shines in the immediate moments of loss; the meals, the prayers, the presence, but falters in the long stretch that comes afterward, when grief becomes daily life instead of an event.

And here's another truth we often overlook: how do children and teenagers make sense of grief when their emotional world is still being formed, and when their losses arrive before they have the language to describe that kind of pain?

And for all of us walking through seasons of sorrow, how do we move from simply surviving loss to allowing God to weave meaning, healing, and even testimony through it?

In this episode, I'm joined by grief advocate, educator, speaker, and author of Joy Overcame Sorrow, Dr. Jerry Woodbridge. We explore not only the depth of grief, but the process of walking through it with God. We talk about why grief is so emotionally and spiritually challenging, and why children and teens often struggle in ways adults overlook.

Things You'll Learn In This Episode 

Grief is universal
Loss disrupts our identity, our emotions, and our spiritual grounding. What actually makes grief so overwhelming, and why do people experience it so differently?

Sorrow and joy are not opposites
Biblical joy doesn't replace sorrow; it grows alongside it. How does God help us hold both at the same time without feeling like one cancels out the other?

Why young people struggle uniquely with grief
Children and teens feel loss deeply but lack the emotional language adults have.
What practical tools help young people process grief before it turns into lifelong wounds?

How grief becomes testimony
Pain can be redeemed for healing, clarity, and service to others. What does it look like to let God transform your sorrow into something that brings hope to someone else?

About the Guest

Dr. Jerry Woodbridge is a grief advocate, educator, speaker, and author of "Joy Overcame Sorrow". She has extensive hands-on experience helping children grieve the loss of a loved one. She published her book "Joy Overcame Sorrow" in June 2025. The book is told through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl navigating the loss of her father, inspired by the grieving students Dr. Woodbridge has worked with. She created an accompanying journal to help children experiencing the grief process record their memories, thoughts, and beliefs. To learn more, visit https://www.drjerrylwoodbridge.com/. 

About Your Host

Hosted by Dr. Deepa Grandon, MD, MBA, a triple board-certified physician with over 23 years of experience working as a Physician Consultant for influential organizations worldwide. Dr. Grandon is the founder of Transformational Life Consulting (TLC) and an outspoken faith-based leader in evidence-based lifestyle medicine.

Disclaimer 

​​TLC is presenting this podcast as a form of information sharing only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. TLC is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products, or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services, or methods that might be referenced.

Podcast CTA

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm, so our show reaches more people. Thank you!