Struggling with Grief?
This past year, Michael and I have had our fair share of grief. Most recently, when my grandfather, a pastor of over 50 years, passed away after a bout of sickness in April. We've had a lot of curveballs thrown our way. We've had financial hurdles, personal struggles, and dealing with two kiddos on top of everything is impossible some days. Although after some tough times, it's still difficult to know that the Bible has plenty of verses discussing grief to lean on.
Regardless of the trials we've faced, Michael and I continue to pour into the Bible and take solace in the truth of the Word. These are our favorite verses that encompass grief. The verses help us keep going while being reminded of the grief we've all experienced and the compassion that comes with it. We hope you can find some truth in them as well.
NOTE: All of these translations come from the NASB (New American Standard Bible).
1. Psalm 147:3
3He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
2. Matthew 5:4
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
3. Revelation 21:4
4and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
4. John 16:22
22Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one is going to take your joy away from you.
5. Psalm 34:18
18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
6. Hebrews 4:16
16Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.
7. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18Therefore, comfort one another with these words.
8. Ecclesiastes 3:4
4A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
9. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
10. Psalm 31:9-10
9Be gracious to me, LORD, for I am in distress;
My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body too.
10For my life is spent with sorrow
And my years with sighing;
My strength has failed because of my guilt,
And my body has wasted away.
Bonus Verse: Psalm 30:5
5For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Final Thoughts about Grief
We hope you find some comfort in these verses. While the road may seem difficult, let today be a lesson for all of us. Even Jesus in the Bible was grieved, so we can see in his human form that He was just like us. But we continue to grow our faith and lean on Him in all things. We encourage you to do the same.
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