Grief is a feeling of sadness that everyone experiences at different points in their lives. It’s a part of our human nature that we cannot avoid. When we grieve, we seek comfort from anyone who cares to listen. But the twist here is, many comforting words do not provide the needed solace, because the speaker doesn’t understand what we are passing through.
When a loved one dies, we grieve, hoping that we will get over the loss one day. Someone who has lost a loved one as well might be the most suitable person to comfort another trying to get over the loss of a close family member or friend.
For Christians, the good part is, there are Bible verses for grieving that contain so many comforting words. These words might seem ordinary at first glance, but it is crucial to remember that they were divinely inspired, which is why they are in the Bible.
Why do people grieve
One of the major reasons people grieve is when they lose a loved one. They begin to ask questions like “why did this happen?” or “where do I go from here?” As people settle into their grief, they begin to realize that they can never see their loved one again.
Another reason why people grieve is when they lose something treasured. When we lose something that our lives were centered on it can be very painful knowing things will not be the same.
Undoubtedly, grief can induce physical pain, but it can also give us a more profound meaning of life. And this is what the Bible verses for grieving seek to address.
It can be difficult to grieve because of the physical, mental and emotional energy exerted. But, doing it the right way allows you to become more resilient. When you use Bible verses for grieving as a Christian, you will appreciate God more.
John 16:33 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
James 1:2-3 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness
10 Bible verses for grief
Many times when we’re in grief, the last thing we want to hear is words of comfort from anyone, because we feel that they don’t understand what we’re going through. However, the Bible is different in this regard, because it brings comfort to our souls.
It is important to mention that many of the Bible verses for grieving were written by authors who drew their strength from God.
They experienced difficult times that would have made them confess negative things. However, they found solace and comfort in the supremacy of God. And they learned to trust him despite the challenging moments they experienced.
Today, their words or confessions have a priceless value in Christianity. Anytime we face unpleasant periods, there are several verses in the Bible to draw strength from.
It is correct to say that the groundwork has been done for us. All we need to do is use these verses to our advantage, and see God come through for us.
Here are some Bible verses for grieving
1. Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion. To give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning.
The garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
2. Job 1:21 (ESV)
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
3. Psalm 126:5-6 (ESV)
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
4. Psalm 39:12 (ESV)
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.
5. 1 Corinthians 15:54-56 (ESV)
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Job 19:25-26 (ESV)
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh, I shall see God,
7. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
8. Isaiah 25:8 (ESV)
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.
9. Lamentations 3:19-24 (ESV)
Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
10. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7(ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction. So that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. And if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is a good Bible verse for someone who lost a loved one?
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things to process and heal from. There are no comforting words from human beings that can bring the person back. Many people find it hard to heal from the loss of a loved one because they have not found the right comforting words.
There are some great Bible verses that would suffice in providing comfort for anyone who has lost a loved one.
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV)
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
Romans 14:8-9 (ESV)
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end, Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
What’s a good scripture for comfort?
Have you ever experienced moments when you wanted someone to speak some comforting words to your heavy soul? People often wish for times like this, but they find no one to fulfill this desire.
It is interesting to mention that the Bible has several texts that provide comfort in any situation. Therefore, anytime your spirit needs a boost or uplifting, you can read any of these verses to draw strength.
Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)
“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they? And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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.
What Scripture talks about comfort in a time of loss?
Getting comfort during a loss is one of the hardest things to achieve, but we have the word of God to bring us solace. We can leverage the spiritual excellence of the scripture to overcome grief and be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV)
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
What is an uplifting Bible verse?
The essence of an uplifting Bible is to encourage you and reiterate the eternal hope that Christ gives us. Here are some uplifting Bible verses:
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
What does Psalm 27 say?
Psalm 27 is a song of King David, which shows God in the light of being our light and salvation.
Psalm 27:1-3 (ESV)
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamps against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arises against me, yet I will be confident.
Conclusion
The Bible is the best source of comfort that any believer can rely on. When we are passing through difficult moments, particularly grief, we can use many Bible verses for grieving to be comforted. Grief might be difficult to process but with the help of the Holy Spirit, who is our comforter, and the Bible, you will pull through.
