There are many types of loss and grief from loss. The most common pain that we all have to endure sooner or later is the loss of a loved one. Poets have written about this pain; spoken by philosophers; and recorded and described in the Bible. Heartache and grief resulting from the loss of a loved one has led to the most excruciating pain a person will endure and sometimes lasts a lifetime. Much of this book is dedicated to addressing this specific type of pain. However, in this chapter we will examine the pain caused by other types of loss. The Grief of Losing a Job Grief can be experienced after any type of loss. There is a certain amount of pain when you lose a job, even if you hated where you worked. Almost all of us have experienced job loss at one time or another, and it is almost always a painful experience. You may have done something to deserve to be fired, or you may have been fired due to cutbacks. You may have lost your job because of something that is not your fault at all. You could have hated your position or loved it. The circumstances surrounding your termination from your job will determine the depth and level of pain you may endure upon termination. If you lost a job, but wanted to leave the position, the transition to being jobless may not be nearly as painful as it would be if you loved your job. But if you have no savings and little opportunity to quickly find another job, things could be much more difficult. Sometimes you may hate your job, but you have been there so long that it has created an unexpected loss in your heart. It's normal to cry, get angry, and upset after losing a job. It is important not to spend too much time mourning the loss or...... middle of paper...... can offer grace.• Forgiveness is an act of will. It takes the weight off our shoulders. • Forgiveness offers a chance for reconciliation. It can heal a broken relationship. • Forgiveness can free us from chains. The person who caused the offense may not know they did anything to it – they may have long since forgotten – or they may not even care. When we refuse to forgive, we are the ones held in bondage by the person who offended us, not the other way around. • The alternative to forgiving is a life full of pain, bitterness and resentment. It is filled with a poison that destroys other relationships and causes us to not trust even those who have done nothing to lose our trust. It creates a pattern that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. It is a cynical, acidic poison that devours our souls and ultimately kills its owner.