Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David Tripp connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

When death takes the life of someone you love, the grief can be so overwhelming that you will feel like you've died too.

In today's episode, we continue through this radio series on grief,

and Paul Tripp gives eight practical steps to take in the grieving process. Here's Paul.

I love life. Normally, I look forward to each new day and the possibilities it contains. I like working hard. I like being

busy. I jump out of bed. I'm ready to face the day. But this was the day that was an exception.

It was the day of my mother's memorial service. I thought of the days that had preceded this one.

I thought of looking at my mother in her hospital bed. Her body ravaged

by age and disease. She had been so vibrant, so strong, so alive. I thought of looking at her frail

body laying in a tangle of tubes. The hum of life support machines had drowned out her weak little breaths.

Helplessly, we had watched death take her, defying all the technology that had been summoned

to keep her alive. We took turns, holding her lifeless hand and brushing her hair away from her forehead.

We kissed her cheek and straightened her sheet as if she were there. We simply didn't know

how else to act. We had so much unfinished business with her, but there would be no more phone

calls. There would be no more face-to-face conversations.

There would be no more visits. There would be no more anything. Here's what we were left with.

A warehouse of mixed memories and a collection of faded photographs.

So I dreaded this day.

I dreaded the service.

I dreaded the many painful and uncomfortable conversations

that I would have with people who would mean well.

There was so much I would like to talk about,

...