Hey friends. I’m not sure why God put this subject on my heart, but if you read my last blog, you will understand when I say He’s always right, and me, well not so much. So I don’t really have a choice.

OK, Lord, I need Your help with this one!

There are currently so many people in my circle of family and friends who are grieving a tremendous loss. We’ve lost parents, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and more. The past 18 months have been filled with unimaginable loss for many of us.

One thing I learned through my personal loss is that grief is different for everyone, and every grieving person needs the respect and understanding to grieve their way. It’s not fair or right to judge anyone during this process. It’s also imperative that we never hold people to promises made during a time of grief.

Personally, my grief is expressed in extreme busyness. I keep telling myself, just keep busy and it will all be OK. One of these days, when I’ve done what needs to be done, more than likely I’m going to crash. I pray there will be someone there to help me pick up the scattered pieces. I know that my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ are there for me.

Sometimes though, it’s hard to feel Their Presence. Some losses are unexpected and take the wind out of our sails. Some losses are a relief…but with that relief, guilt can creep in. It’s easy to get angry and blame God for our losses. Some people don’t know God or have a relationship with Jesus. There can be so much uncertainty. We want to know that our loved ones are in a better place, but how do we know for sure?

Even if you are not a believer, God’s Word offers comfort and hope for the grieving. I pray that these verses from the ESV version of His Word help you in some way.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” John 16:20

“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you”. John 16:22

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

There are countless other verses. Simply do an Internet search for what does the bible say about grief? You will find many more than I have written here.

I’m still puzzled why God would ask me to write about grief. Grief can be isolating and overwhelming. Believe me when I say that I’m right there with you.

Maybe He wanted to affirm through my writing that you are never alone in your grief, even when you feel like no one understands. There are people around you that are there to help. It can be difficult to reach out. But step out in faith and ask. Please know that I am here if you need anything, no judgment. If you don’t want to talk, we can just sit in silence. Sometimes just being present for someone grieving is just what they need. May the God of all comfort bring you peace and joy.

Dear Heavenly Father, you grieved the loss of Your One and Only Son, Jesus. Thank you for His sacrifice on the Cross. Thank you for the person reading this. I pray that they will be comforted in their grief. If they are feeling alone, please wrap your loving arms around them and give them Your Peace. Please send an angel to help them through the process. Strengthen and reassure them when they have any doubts. In Jesus’s name, Amen.