We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris Grainger. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris below.
Hi Chris, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?
I lost my daughter and found myself in a club that I never wanted to be in.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
The journey of creating The Lion Within Us has been fueled by my desire to help others and glorify God. I am blessed to be in several leadership positions in a professional and spiritual capacity. First and foremost, I’m a devoted husband to a loving wife, a true “Proverbs 31” Woman and the strongest person I know. Together, we lead a family of three beautiful girls and one amazing son. I’m currently a deacon at my church and a Certified Financial Coach.
There was a point in time where my life was spiraling out of control and I felt helpless. By the Grace of God and sheer willpower, I was able to take inventory of my life, analyze and improve my habits, and become the man that God has called me to be. Though I’ve faced difficult storms involving love and loss, I’ve been blessed beyond measure and God has never left my side. I want use my testimony to encourage others and let them know that they too can find joy and fulfillment in the midst of the most difficult storm.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Grieve with your wife – this sounds simple, but it can be the hardest area to embrace. She needs to see you grieve. Couples that grieve together grow together. This does not make you a weak man and is a necessary step in the healing process. You will find that taking the time to share the hurt will bring you closer as a couple. Talk about your feelings with her and listen when she talks. Being present and vulnerable are critical to remember. Name your baby – as Christian men we know that at the moment of conception God breathed life into our children. The world may not recognize them as a “person” until delivery, but we know better. God is knitting them together in the womb and sometimes His plan is to complete the knitting in Heaven. One item that will help as you talk about it in the future is to use your baby’s name. In the case where a child is lost prior to knowing the gender you have a few choices. You can go with a gender-neutral name or your wife may have a sense of what the sex was. In either case pick a name together and make sure you honor their name in the future.
Protect your wife from others – as men we are wired to provide and protect. When child loss occurs be tuned in to the types of advice or counsel your spouse is getting from others. Often people simply do not understand and in those cases, they may cause more harm than good. Grieving timelines look different for everyone and as her husband be on the ready to step in to be the shield she needs during this difficult time.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Be still and know that He is God.
Contact Info:
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