Have you ever lost a loved one? Or wondered how to help someone you care about after they’ve suffered a tragic loss?
When Mountains Crumble: Rebuilding Your Life After Losing Someone You Love is written by Danita Jenae—and it is loaded with practical advice and encouragement!
I received a complimentary copy for review. All opinions are my own.
Your loss is beautifully, painfully, and uniquely yours. But that’s actually good news that comes with freedom to grieve in your own way.
About the Book
- It is 256 pages broken into 8 parts
- Each part includes 5-7 quick chapters
- Every chapter has journaling prompts/space and ends with a prayer and scripture references
- The book also provides additional resources
What I Loved
Wow! This is my new go-to resource for people experiencing loss! I love the simple truths in the Grief 101 chapter–like grief has no report card or formula. This chapter alone is worth the cost of the book!
If you’ve ever wondered what to say or do (or what not to do) when someone’s grieving, you’ll love this book!
The author shares with a vulnerability and transparency that is refreshing and raw, and walks alongside you in a way that only someone who’s been through it could.
Additional Thoughts
This book is beautifully designed by a woman who understands what it’s like to be in the throes of grief.
The sections are brief and help the reader feel seen and understood.
The journal prompts at the ends of each chapter are relevant and meaningful without being overwhelming or unnecessary.
The prayers are powerful and the scripture references are all pertinent to the subject of the chapter.
This is truly an incredible book that I highly recommend for everyone who’s grieving. Whether that’s you right now or someone you know, you’re definitely going to want to keep this book on hand and give it away to family, friends, and neighbors. I know I do!
GIVEAWAY
Moody Publishers graciously donated an extra copy of When Mountains Crumble for me to raffle off to one of my readers. Enter the rafflecopter giveaway below for your chance to win!
Learn more about the book and grab your copy today by visiting https://danitajenae.com/
About the Author
Danita Jenae is a recent military widow learning to carry both joy and sorrow in the same breath. She’s also a young mom and dabbling artist who’s not afraid of glitter glue or sprinkles. Danita walks alongside the brokenhearted, offering practical and creative ways to lead a Spirit-led life. You’ll find her writing is laced in prayer, surrender, and the hope of redemption.
Follow her at danitajenae.com and on Instagram @danitajenae
More Faith-Filled Resources for Your Family
Dishing up Devotions: 36 Faith-Building Activities for Homeschooling Families
Nourish your soul and grow your family's faith with this fun, interactive devotional!
- Encouragement for homeschool moms
- Biblical family activities even preschoolers can understand
- Delicious baking recipes & conversation-starters related to the weekly theme
I think one aspect of grieving I wish I had known is the flood of emotions that come with the simplest of things: hearing a song on the radio, seeing a coffee cup your loved one drank out of, etc. Then come the tears.
That’s so true! It can hit out of nowhere, even years afterward.
The hardest part of grief I wish I’d known, is that it’s a process, and that there’s no timeline. I experienced significant loss at a young age, very complex grief, and I wish that I had the right help that I needed to process. I was a hurt kid with a tough shell, and it was hard to get through to me. Maybe I needed to soften my heart more. It’s taken me 20 years to significantly process this loss. I also wish that I had better support as a young woman to understand abandonment issues. Sadly, that help wasn’t available. I did the best I could.
I’m so sorry that you didn’t have the support you needed Lila. You’re right that there is no timeline. Thank you for sharing. 🙏❤️
I wish I had known how truly heavy it can feel out of the blue.
When something triggers a memory and causes grief
I plan on reading this book. I love to find a good book to give as a gift. This season has been so hard for so many. Thank you for taking the time to review a much needed book..
My comment is regarding my adult daughter. Ten years after the death of her father, I think she is finally able to not let the absence weigh too heavily on her mind. This sounds like a great book to have had on hand a few years ago. If I do not win the give-away, I will definitely purchase a copy for her to read now. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
We have lost my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and my father within the past year. It has been horrific year for myself, husband, and children who were close with all three grandparents. I am an only child who was very close to my dad and this book sounds like exactly what I need
I’m so sorry for your losses. I am praying for your family in this unimaginably difficult time.
I wish I had realized that when you’re having a good day, grief will grip you and remind you that it’s there. The overwhelming sadness can be debilitating. I’ve lost my mother, three of her brothers and my father-in-law within an 8 week period this year. I’ve felt the need to apologize for breaking into tears at inappropriate times. Grief stinks.
You’re right Anita. I’m so sorry for all of your losses. I love how Danita writes, “Grief blurs time into ‘before death’ and ‘after death,’ anyway. And what felt healed yesterday can suddenly feel cracked open today. Grief is not linear, but it does circle and re-circle closer toward healing.” (pg. 20) I pray this resource can bring some hope and healing on your journey! 🙏❤️
I’m sorry for your loss. I can relate, as I commented above. It can take a long time to come out of the fog, when it doesn’t weigh so heavily.
Although my husband passed away from cancer five years ago, I know I’m still grieving and may grieve the rest of my life. There are times still when something I see or hear will cause me to think of my husband and sometimes I even cry unexpectedly. More than that and even more importantly, I am unsure whether or not our high functioning autistic son has really gotten over his father’s death or whether he’s still grieving. You see, he’s never cried in my presence and really hasn’t wanted to talk much about his father’s death, although he wore his father’s everyday coat for the longest time after his death.
One thing I did learn about six months, maybe a little longer, after my husband’s death was that I had a severe vitamin B-12 deficiency. I was crying more than was really right and over the drop of a hat over anything. A lot of people kept telling me it was typical to cry a lot after losing my husband, but they didn’t understand that I was crying a LOT more than I should have although I kept trying to explain it. Eventually, my primary doctor sent me to a therapist and although he gave me a prescription for medication, he still did a blood test. He called me a day or two later, telling me my level was the lowest he had ever seen! When I saw my primary care provider next time, she said the same thing. I’m still having to take the vitamin daily. I keep telling people about this five years later.
Another death that has affected me a lot was my mother’s. She passed away unexpectedly from a stroke during my last year of college. She and I were very close and I still miss her so much! I know I’m still dealing with her death, even today, twenty-six years later. One thing that affected me a lot that year, was than not only did my mother pass away, but within a six month period, so did my father and his sister (my aunt). Also during that small time period, I had a lot to deal with. From being in my final year of college, to having to replace things like a water heater, a stove, a freezer, and our car breaking down beyond repair. It was just a really hard time to deal with everything around my three oldest sons and I.
Thanks for listening.
I’ve lost five babies and the pain just never goes away. Keeping busy all the time sometimes isn’t enough.
Recently lost my mom unexpectedly. There was much I didn’t understand about grief and loss even though my firstborn was stillborn the day after his due date. Loosing our son was the hardest thing I had gone through up to that point. And yet, loosing my mom was so different in many ways and provoked a lot of questions and grappling with things. I feel like I’ve gotten some healing and answers. But I have a sister that has taken Moms passing really hard and this book might be good for her.
Hi Katie, the hardest part of grief for me was the added trauma…I suffered so much abuse from my Mums sisters when she passed away and it was so traumatic…I didn’t know that so many people experience family fighting and drama because of the funeral and the deceased property. We have actually had all of my Mums things stolen by my Aunty and my brother and I have been through hell and back. I have literally had a come to Jesus moment today and said enough is enough now and I will no longer hold onto the bitterness, pain, hurt and resentment and I will wait on God for Him to make it right. Grieving is hard enough but having the added trauma of what has happened to me, my husband, my brother and my 4 kids made it so much harder. BUT GOD!!! The Lord has strengthened me through it all and has been my rock, my fortress and my firm foundation and if it wasn’t for Him, I never would’ve made it this far. It’s only been 6 months and my Mum was 62 and passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. It’s going to be a long process and it’s a lot harder when you’ve got kids to help through the process but my Husband is right by my side and we are even stronger now through all the pain, trauma and heartache. I pray for each and every person that goes through traumatic times in their grief, to just let go and focus on the Lord xx