Feeling grief can weigh down life. If someone dies we love or we go through a profound experience of loss we can become sad, confused, angry and alone.
The Bible doesn’t tell us to shut those feelings off. However, the Bible does show that our God is close to those who are hurting. These Bible verses about grief can remind you that your Heavenly Father sees your pain, hears your prayers, and stays with you when you hurt.
What Does the Bible Say About Grief?
From the Bible we see that grief is real. There is no shame involved when we mourn.
Even Jesus cried when His friend Lazarus died. For the shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35, is just, “Jesus wept.” In these two words we see that weeping is not a sign of a weak faith.
Though Jesus knew that Lazarus would resurrect, He still mourned. Christians can trust in God as well as mourn.
The Bible also reminds us that God is near to those who are hurting.
Bible Verses for Grief and Comfort
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to those with a broken heart.
This is a sweet reminder that when you are broken hearted, God is close by. You may feel all alone in your mourning, but God has not gone anywhere.
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted”
Jesus knows who is mourning and offers those who mourn a blessing. Mourners is there to show that mourning is lonely but God will offer bright to mourners.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
Some wounds of the heart won’t heal for a long while. The Lord knows about those wounds and longs to bring healing to you through His love.
Psalm 23:4
“Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”
Psalm 23 doesn’t say that we won’t have to go through dark valleys. It does however promise that God will be there with us when we do.
Revelation 21:4
AndGod shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
This verse hints at the hope we all have if we are in Christ. One day death, mourning, crying and pain will cease.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Paul calls God: “the God of all comfort.” He goes on to say that it’s God that comforts us when we are in trouble and helps us to comfort others when they are hurting.
God uses someone else to help us, when we need it, if that someone else can relate.
Bible Verses for Grieving the Loss of a Loved One
The pain of losing someone you love can alter your everyday life. Your loved one’s chair is now empty. You no longer hear their voice. Everyday moments can evoke fresh pain.
Your mourn: The Bible doesn’t tell you that you have to stop mourning out of the blue.
In Ecclesiastes 3:4 it tells us there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
The test of time is not straightforward. There will be some days that are OK, and others when you’re overwhelmed by grief again. That is normal, you are not doing it wrong. It takes time to grieve.
If you’ve experienced a loss, you can turn your heartfelt emotions over to God in prayer.You do not have to be okay all the time. The Psalms provide us with numerous examples of cries from pain and sorrow:
How Can Scripture Comfort You When You Grieve?
Reading verses from Bible for sorrow might be helpful to you but you don’t have to read lengthy chapters at a time.
Try these simple steps:
Read a verse carefully. That talks about God!
Be honest with God when you pray. Be open about what you need and what you long for.
Give yourself permission to grieve. Crying does not equate to losing your faith.
Keep near fellow believers. Your Christian family and friends will give you support.
Keep faith in the biblical hope. When the sorrow becomes unbearable, the scriptures refer us beyond death to God’s promises.
You might consider to write a soothing verse in your notebook or keep it clearly visible during hard times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Bible verse for someone grieving?
Psalm 34:18 is one of the most comforting passages for those grieving: The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart. It is a reminder that God is near to the hurting.
Does the Bible Say It Is Okay to Cry When We Grieve?
Yep. The Bible has lots of stories of people crying. Even Jesus cried in John 11:35. Blood tears and mourning are not seen as a failure of faith.
How long should a Christian grieve?
The Bible doesn’t specify a limited amount of time for mourning. In Ecclesiastes 3:4 there’s acknowledgement of a time to weep. Everyone deals with their grief in their own way and is ready to recover on their own schedule.
Can I Still Have Faith When I Am Grieving?
Absolutely. Grief and faith aren’t mutually exclusive. You can believe in God’s goodness without feeling happy about everything that’s happened.
Just look at the Psalms.
The psalmists regularly poured their hearts out to God.
What Does the Bible Say About Death?
Christians have hope in the Bible that goes past death. Revelation 21:4 tells us that one day God will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain.
Conclusion
Feeling broken by grief is common, but you are not meant to journey through it without help. The Bible shows us that God is near when our hearts hurt. He comforts us when wegrieve and gives us hope after death.
In those times your heart aches, go back to the Word of God one verse at a time. Whatever Scripture you read, let it speak to your pain and assure you that your tears are not unnoticed, your grief is not useless, and God is with you.
Maybe today isn’t your day for feeling better, and that is fine. Continue to pour out your pain before God. His presence and His promises are still there, even in the darkest valleys.
