Saying Good-Bye

Good-byes aren't things we usually look forward to. They often mean that life as we know it is changing in some way. Even if that change is for the good, we still don't seem to like the good-bye that comes with it. Even when we're excited about the change that is necessitating the good-bye, that doesn't mean we like the process of saying good-bye.

Then there's the good-byes that are just plain hard. There's not something on the other side that helps us to get through the good-bye. The good-byes that leave us with something or someone missing that was once a part of our lives.These good-byes can often be the most difficult ones we have to say. They take time for us to work through.

Whatever the reason for the good-bye, we have to learn to say it well. We run into problems in our lives when we refuse to say good-bye when it's necessary. How we say good-bye and the changes it makes to our lives may look different each time, but that doesn't change the fact we have to say good-bye.

Good-bye to someone we loved who has passed away.

Good-bye to something we loved that is over now.

Good-bye to the way a friendship looks right now because the circumstances of one or both of you are changing and it can't be exactly the same anymore. It may not be good-bye forever, but it's good-bye to the present reality.

Good-bye to a dream you had that God is asking you to give up for what He has for you instead.

Good-bye to the place you've called home for any length of time.

There are many things and many people we may need to say good-bye to. Some are easier than others. Some we will try to hang onto long past when we should.

Saying good-bye is a part of life on this earth. God knew that when He created it and created us. He knows it's hard. He knows we don't look forward to it most of the time.

The good news is that He doesn't leave us alone to do it either. He walks with us through it. And He provides people to walk with us through it.


"For God has said: Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)