The road to healing after suffering a pregnancy loss is often painful, said author Keanna Barnes, who went through that emotional experience in May 2016.
Recalling that time, she said, “I do believe that if it wasn’t for my faith in God, I probably would not be here today because it was something that was completely consuming – the anger, the grief, all of those things I felt.
“It was only God’s word that I could look to give me strength, to keep on saying, ‘It must be a purpose that I’m still here. What do I do now?’”
Following His leading, she wrote a book to help women and men reclaim their reason for being after enduring this unbearable sorrow. Barnes’ book, “Journey to Peace,” contains 31 devotions to aid others through the grief of miscarriage, stillbirth or other pregnancy loss and eventually obtain peace within them and with God.
“Journey to Peace” is divided into five sections – pray, entrust, act, change and encourage – accompanied by scripture. Within each part are daily meditations and readers are asked to reflect on Bible verses and passages as they heal from their tragic loss. Also, her husband writes a passage expressing how he felt about losing his child.
Barnes developed a journal as well to supplement the book. It includes a guide and various exercises to help readers find a path to peace.
To those who experience pregnancy loss, Barnes advised, “Reach out to others, don’t keep it all to yourself or keep it all bottled in. Don’t be afraid to go to a therapist or licensed counselor who is skilled in dealing with loss and grief.
“Just know that some people don’t know how to react to your news and may say the wrong things to you, but keep holding on, keep praying and keep focused on God.”
To learn more or obtain the book, visit YourPeaceJourney.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com and local bookstores.