I first experienced grief after my dog passed away. She was like a member of the family. Upon her passing, my entire life changed. The endless days of summer turned into the darkest nights of winter. Eight months after my dog passed away, my mom passed away, which only inflicted more sorrow, pain, and grief into my life.
Perhaps you are also facing a season of grief. When you are walking through grief, it is important to reflect upon God. God is with you through this season, and He will bring hope into your heart. Even if it may not seem like it right now, brighter days are ahead. Lean into the comfort of our Good Shepherd. He will surround you with His peace.
1. You Will See Your Loved Ones Again (John 16:22)
“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again, and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).
In the aftermath of my loved one's passing, I felt hollow. I grieved, cried, and blamed God. All these emotions are normal. When I studied the Bible, I realized that this was not the end. I would see my loved ones again (John 16:22). And so will you.
If our loved one placed faith in Jesus as their Savior and Lord, they are waiting for us in Heaven. Although we may have to travel the road of life for a while before we see them again, we can rest in the solace that we will see them again. This is only because of the Lord (Romans 5:8). On this day, our tears of sorrow will turn into tears of joy. Praise the Lord for His goodness and love!
2. You Are Not Alone (Psalm 73:23)
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23).
When we walk through grief, we often feel alone. Even if other people are also experiencing grief, we feel an inner sense of loneliness. During these times, we need to go to the Lord. Remind yourself that you are not alone. God is always with you, protecting, guiding, and helping you (Psalm 23:1-6).
Many people in your life want to surround you with comfort during this time. This could be family members, friends, or your spouse. It can be tempting to push everyone away and hide, but it is essential to talk with them, share your feelings, and find comfort in their company. God has placed these people in your life for a reason. Allow them to be the hands and feet of Jesus to you during this time.
3. God Will Heal Your Wounds (Psalm 147:3)
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Grief often makes us feel pessimistic about life. This is a normal reaction; however, we must not allow these feelings to fester. We can go to the Lord and experience His healing. From Psalm 147:3, we learn that God will heal our wounds. Rather than trying to walk through grief alone, we can allow God to come alongside us.
Are you currently allowing God in your life? Or have you pushed Him away? Return to Him and sit at His feet. Try to remember that God did not cause your loved one to die. He never intended for anyone to die (Genesis 3). It is through the death of His Son that we can overcome death and enter into His Heavenly Kingdom.
4. The Lord Goes Before You
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
When grief hits, it can feel like a hurricane. Tears, pain, anger, and sorrow are constantly escalating. It is okay to feel these feelings and to let them pass. As you are sitting in the pain, remind yourself that the Lord goes before you. He will be with you, and He will never leave you, nor forsake you.
This can bring great peace into our hearts when we are experiencing grief. Jesus will go before you into the storm known as grief. He will protect you and surround you with His comfort. Talk with Him in prayer, lean on Him for support, and find solace in His loving kindness.
5. There Are Still Beautiful Things in Store for Your Life
“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Grief makes us feel like our future is hopeless. Acknowledge these feelings, but don't feed into them. Life is not over. There are still many beautiful things in store for your life. The Lord has great plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).
The pain of losing your loved one can be heartbreaking. Take solace in knowing the pain will lessen as you heal. Time does not heal all wounds; however, it can help. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus and His future for you (Hebrews 12:2).
6. God Will Surround You with Comfort
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
If I could describe grief in one word, it would be “drowning.” It makes you feel full of sorrow, sadness, and pain. These feelings are not pleasant. Bring these feelings to God and allow His comfort to wash over you. He will pull you out of the deep waters (Psalm 18:16).
The comfort of God has no bounds. It feels like a warm blanket on a cold winter day. Sit down in the safety of your home with the comfort of God surrounding you. Allow yourself to cry and grieve. There is no reason to be ashamed of your emotions. The greater the grief, the greater the love.
7. You Can Experience God’s Peace
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Peace may feel impossible right now, but it is already yours in Christ Jesus. The peace that surpasses all understanding is waiting for you. To experience this peace, you must go to the Lord in prayer and petition with thanksgiving in your heart. Present your requests to the Lord and wait on Him. A simple, “Lord, I can't manage this grief on my own. Please bless me with Your peace. Amen,” is more than enough.
The Lord hears all your prayers, and He will surround you with His peace, comfort, and love. Tell Him about the pain that is in your heart. It can also be healing to share with Him all the memories you have of your loved one. God would love to hear the happy and sorrowful memories. As you talk with Him, you will begin to experience His indescribable peace.
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