Faith Griffin Sims
About the Author

Faith Griffin Sims is a mom of six and “Mia” to seventeen grandchildren. She writes about grief, suicide loss, and living life with hope. She lives near Atlanta with her husband of forty-two years and their two youngest children.

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things we love
& you will too!
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Comments

  1. I’m very sorry for your loss. I can only imagine the pain felt by you and your family. Praying for continued healing. Thank you for sharing

  2. I am so, so incredibly sorry that you have had to go through such a horrendous tragedy. God is clearly using you to help others who are faced with this horrific situation. Thank you for your witness.

  3. Oh, Faith, I am so sorry for this unimaginable loss, and yet you have spun gold from this dry straw with wisdom and grace. Thank you for acknowledging that there is pain that we will sit with until we see the face of Jesus, and yet, at the same time, we press into him for a comfort that enables us to trust for the day’s strength.

  4. There are no words for this kind of grief, but it is clear God is tenderly carrying you and moving through your words extend continual comfort to others, including myself who have experienced the loss of a loved one taking their own life. Thank you for these words of truth in how to release these heavy burdens and exchange them for hope.

  5. Faith –
    My heart breaks for you. I cannot imagine the pain you have endured. Praying for God’s comfort for you as you bless others with your vulnerability and openness.
    Elizabeth

  6. I havent experienced grief that deep in my life yet but I do fear this. I have a daughter who struggles with anxiety and ADD and on medication and considered ODing after a bad day. Thankfully she called her older sister instead. Every day can feel like such a struggle. I can relate to going to bed and just not wanting to wake up. Such a good reminder to my soul that our is a God who sees and hears and understands and encourages me to just Come to Him. I love the Psalms. Thank you for the encouragement this morning and your vulnerability .

    • Hi Lori, I am so sorry for the grief you are experiencing. I am praying for you and your daughter right now. Aren’t the Psalms amazing?

  7. What amazing and truth filled words. Thank you for sharing your heart, your faith, your story, and your beautiful son with us.

  8. Thank you for sharing your heart and your story. I cannot imagine the pain of your loss. Know our family is praying for yours. This was beautifully written and just what I needed to hear today.

  9. Thank you, Faith for having the courage to share your life with us. My life as a pastor’s wife has been Full of many trials! But the Lord is there to help when the testing seems unbearable. It’s amazing how the Lord comforts us in His Word when we have the grace to open it…He guides us by Hoy Spirit for our healing. We will be lifting you up as the holidays are near. May you know in your deepest heart that God can use brokenness to bring a blessing to others. May you feel His peace and continue to use your gift of writing for His Kingdom Bren

  10. Thank you, Faith, for reminding me that God sees me and my circumstances even when I’m too weak or too despairing to look up at him.

  11. As always you write from your heart. Such a gift God has given to you! May this be a help to many in their grief or daily walk with life issues. ♥️

  12. Faith,

    So sorry for the heavy loss you feel. It is one thing to lose a loved one, but to have it done this way is super hard. God wants us to come to Him with questions. There have been times when all I could do is yell at God & ask why. My aging dad was put in psych hospital twice. On several occasions I would sit down in the lobby & cry out to God for him to take dad. I’ve learned that God allows us to yell & question Him. He doesn’t get upset with us. He lovingly holds us & gently whispers I’m here. The Bible is full of people who questioned God & went through painful times. Even Jesus on the cross yelled “My God my God why have you forsaken me?” We all reach the point of anguish sometimes & just need to cry out to someone who understands & cares. Praying for you & y our family as you heal. May God be near to the broken hearted.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Beth, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. It is so heartbreaking to watch our parents become so feeble (whether mind or body). Isn’t it wonderful that He does lovingly hold us? I am praying for you and your dad now.

  13. Faith, I am sorry for the loss of your son. No words can make the pain lessen and like you said, this grief will never end til the end of our time here. I know this grief you speak of. I lost my best friend of over 40 years almost two years now and it doesn’t get easier. Sometimes I feel it gets worse. The memories of our shared lives are everywhere and every turn I make, I am reminded of her. This deep immense pain that leaves me feeling as if I am drowning is so real. But yes I know that God is with us at every moment that we grieve, every tears that we weep. He is our comforter and He is walking beside us, listening to us, loving on us. All we can do is trust in Him and know that although we cannot see the reasons to such events, He loves us. Praying for continued healing to your heart and may the memories of your son warms your heart and allows you to find joy as a way of honoring him. Until we see our loved ones again, let us encourage one another in love! Thanks for sharing this message. God bless you and your family.

    • Dear Maylee, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. It is a hard journey that is anything but linear. Thank you for your encouragement, and I am praying for you now as well.

  14. Thank you for sharing your heart! This was heartfelt and beautifully written. It will help so many struggling with grief.

  15. My son was killed in Iraq in 2006. There really aren’t the right words to describe the pain, loss and grief that I have experienced. I used to pray Eph 6:11-15 and picture him getting ready for a mission. I was so very sure he was coming home. After he was killed I was so very angry at God. I just didn’t understand why He hadn’t answered my prayers. Chris was my only child. How could He have allowed this? Like you I prayed to not wake up. I had many thoughts about giving up. I too, wasn’t able to pray or worship but I did go to some bible studies. It was 3 years later and at the very end of a bible study that I feel I was touched by the Holy Spirit. Beth Moore was speaking and when she said, “When I put on my helmet of salvation”……I realized at that moment that my prayers had been answered, just not in an earthly way. Chris did know the Lord! He had salvation! At that moment my anger left and never returned. It has been the hardest walk of my life even with a few other losses of those close to me. I’m thankful for those who continue to love and support me and for a God who is always with me. Without Him I would have been lost forever! I’m so very sorry for the loss of your dear son! Hugs and prayers through this journey.

    • Oh Kat, my heart breaks for you. I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your son. Yes, I am thankful that God offers us such abundant grace. He understands our pain and grieves with us.

  16. Thank you for this Faith…man, this life is full of things we never thought we’d have to face. I am so grateful that even when we just dont get it…and we’re even mad at God…He doesn’t leave us, but sits down with us right where we are. I loved reading this piece.

    • Yes, Brandy! He sits with us right where we are—never leaving us in our pain. So thankful for a Father that loves me even when I argue with Him. His grace is abundant!

  17. I never had kids. I was not that brave to have any. So I will never feel your pain. Never know what you went through. You as Mum when you heard your son done what he did. Probably said too yourself. Did I do something wrong. Why did I not see this happening. You can until the day you leave earth ask all thoes sorts of questions. The question can go on. I will give you this peace of advice even though I was never a Mum. Remember don’t blame yourself for any of this. Always remember this you where a good Mum. You did your best for your son. You loved him. You could do no more for him. Pray and leave all at the foot of the cross with Jesus. That is what my Salvation Army Officer told me to do with my family problems. To remember they are not my fault. I could not have stopped them happening. I had to pray get help and leave it at the foot of the cross with Jesus. Not beating myself up about it. Stop saying if I did this or this or this would things be different. Now with the help I got I am different person today and with Jesus help I can forgive and no let it hurt me any more. Yes I will never forget about it. Like you will never forget about your son. But you will heal. Like you are now telling your story to people. You never know it could help someone. Hearing it and help them heal. If they been through the same thing and finding it hard to get over it. Saying why and asking God why did you let this happen to me. It not Gods fault. God didn’t let it happen. We are the first to blame God and say God why did you let my Son or Daughter take their life. Why did you not tell them to get help. As parents you want to blame someone so if saved you blame God. Your story I know God has had you tell it for a reason to help you heal. By you telling it for other to hear it who have been through the same thing to know God is close by and he is with them every step of the way he will help them heal and through his Holy Spirit if saved tell them to go get the help they need it. If need to talk to someone to get it of their chest how they feel. So as they can get the help they need to heal. Not blame themselves. As parents. Plus Surrender all to God. Keep you in prayer Love Dawn Ferguson-Little

    • Faith, Thank you for sharing your heart with honesty and transparency. I started crying three paragraphs in. Thank You God that we can pour our hearts out to You.

      • Bill, thank you. I am so thankful that we can give it all to Him—and trust Him with it all.

    • Dawn, thank you for your encouragement. A suicide loss is one that leaves us reeling with questions that we will never have the answers for. I am so thankful that we can trust God — even in this.

  18. One last small comment. Remember this but true song.
    What a Friend we have in Jesus all our Sins and Griefs to Bare.
    Such a true song. You get it on youtube. What Friend we have in Jesus. We can go him with anything. Worth listing too. Yes a good old song. Some times the oldies are the best.
    Love Dawn Ferguson-Little

  19. Faith, only in my own grief have I become more attuned to the deep loss that comes when a loved one takes his life. Oh friend, your words today came at great cost and I’m lifting you up to the only One who can comfort when life unravels as you’ve described. What a beautiful reminder this morning that we can go to God with hard questions.

    • Lisa, thank you for your encouragement. Life does unravel and I am thankful He loves us enough to hold us through it all.

  20. Beautifully written, mom. Thankful we serve a God that sees us, a God that can handle our anger and our questions and a God that knows our sorrow.

    Psalm 56:8
    “You keep track of all my sorrows.
    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
    You have recorded each one in your book.”

    • Thank you! I am so thankful for the amazing family God has given me. We have cried enough tears to fill many bottles – and He tenderly holds them all. I love you.

  21. Faith, thank you for sharing your journey, your heart and your words with all of us. So much love being sent to you. ❤️

  22. Thank you for your words. I’m so sorry for the loss of your precious son.
    Mine and my family’s hearts are still aching from the loss of my brother to suicide three years ago, tomorrow. Shared this with my momma… watching parents lose a child, in this way.. has been one of the most difficult parts of This process. Blessings to you and your family. ❤️

    • Jamie, I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying now! What a sweet daughter to share this with your mama. I know it has been difficult for my other children to see us grieve so deeply. It is hard to see them grieve their bother as well. they adored him and feel like a part of them is missing. This is a hard and lonely journey. I’ll be praying for you all tomorrow as well.

  23. I’m so sorry for the loss of your son. Grief is a lifetime process and I needed to read this today. Thank you for sharing your heart and beautiful words with us.

  24. Beautifully written. I am so sorry for your painful loss. Thank you for being brave enough to pour out your heart to help others and to glorify our Lord.

  25. It devastated me when I lost my only son to suicide. It seems only in some distant past have I ever been happy yet it has only been 17 months. I have yelled at God many times. I have pleaded, cried, and just sat with Him. He is big enough, and loving enough, to listen. Thank you for the reminder from Psalm 13
    How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
    How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
    The Psalmist continues crying out to the Lord and praising Him. He concurs God can handle our lament and will listen in Psalm 22: 24:
    For he has not despised or scorned
    the suffering of the afflicted one;
    he has not hidden his face from him
    but has listened to his cry for help.

    • David, it is devastating! He is a good Father who loves us and promises to never leave us. So thankful for that truth.

  26. Faith, thank you so much for sharing your heart. I pray for comfort and peace for you and your family. God bless you friend ❤️❤️

  27. This is so beautifully written. Thank you so much for sharing. I needed to hear this! Lots of love to you

  28. Faith, you are such a gifted writer. How I wish this wasn’t part of your story. I am always in awe at how even through unimaginable tragedy you have allowed God to use you to minister to others that are hurting. While my pain this past week is not even close to what you have experienced, this is the reminder of God’s faithfulness that I needed today. I love you my precious friend!

  29. Faith, your faith is an encouragement to me and so many others. You & Bart have blessed my life for many years
    Jim Law

  30. Faith, I’m so sorry for your loss. I have been following you for sometime and each time you share your story I’m in tears. The feelings you share are as if I were writing. I lost my son, Joshua, to suicide 8 years ago. His birthday is November 19, from this time forward through holidays are like a nightmare I can’t get out of. Thanks for your encouragement.
    Debbie
    Mother of Joshua

    • Debbie, I will be praying for you in this difficult season. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

  31. Faith, what a beautiful post. I lost my 15-yr-old daughter to suicide 3 years and 9 months ago. I lamented so much and Psalms definitely helped. You spoke my reality. I wanted nothing more than to sleep and follow my babe and yet I also wanted to stay and be with my son. Straddling 2 desires, heaven and earth. And oh how I also love that Isaiah verse. It’s carried me through. Thank you for eloquently articulating your heartache which so mirrors mine. You have my love and prayers, my virtual friend.

    • Karen, I am so very sorry for the loss of your daughter. Phillipians 1:23 resonates so much – “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” NKJ
      I am praying for you as well, sweet friend!

  32. Faith, this is such a beautiful testimony of the God who sees and hears and is ever present in whatever we go through. Thank you for your ministry, your bravery to write about this, and for allowing God to use you to bring hope and encouragement to others who grieve.