The Fear That Comes With Deep Grief
LYSA TERKEURST
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“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV)
Losing someone you love can cut into your heart so viciously that it forever redefines who you are and how you think. It’s what I call deep grief.
It strains against everything you’ve ever believed. You wonder how the promises that seemed so real in your Bible yesterday could withstand this enormous sadness today.
This is part of what makes talking about death so difficult. The mere mention can stir up tremendous grief.
I remember standing at the side of a casket too small to accept. Pink roses draped everywhere. My heart shattered. There are still certain dates on the calendar that can trigger a flood of questions and pain surrounding the tragic loss of my baby sister. I imagine you have days like that too.
And it’s not just grief that’s hard. There can also be a lot of fear. Fear of others dying. Fear of our own death. Fear of what the process of dying might be like for us.
How thankful I am that Scripture holds powerful truths we can remember when the fear of dying tries to keep us from truly living. We can feel afraid … but we don’t have to live afraid.
Scripture teaches us that the wages of sin is death, but Jesus came to pay that price for us. Hebrews 2:17 specifically says He came “to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (ESV). The Greek word for “propitiation,” hilaskomai, means both “to make atonement” and “to show mercy.”
I love how we see this in Hebrews 2:14-15: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (ESV).
These words feel so very personal.
What grace and kindness — that Jesus came to free us both from the power of death and the fear of it. His resurrected body allows us to declare, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
This doesn't mean our hearts won’t ever experience deep grief or feel the pain of loss on this side of eternity. Even if you strip a lethally poisonous scorpion of its venom, its sting still hurts. But it no longer holds the power to end your life. This is what Jesus has done: He has removed death’s sting. He has given us the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Death isn’t the end. For those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives, death is but a passageway at God’s designated time for us to finally escape this broken world and be welcomed to the home we’ve been longing for our entire lives (Revelation 21:4).
I know how incredibly hard this can all be. But let’s hold on to the sweet knowledge that Jesus has already gone before us. We don’t have to be afraid.
And if you’re struggling with the piercing pain of deep grief right now? I’m so sorry, sweet friend. The reality of deep grief is that it takes time. It takes prayer. It takes wading through an ocean of tears to discover one day that the sun is still shining.
Give yourself grace for the journey, and keep clinging to the knowledge that God is near. Every one of His promises is true.
Father God, death feels like one of the very worst things that can happen. Yet Your Word tenderly reminds us that Jesus willingly experienced death so we can have eternal life. Thank You for meeting us in our questions and tears with Your kind presence and the hope of Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
If you’re facing a hard season of grief or loss, Lysa TerKeurst understands. Her book It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way is a safe place for you to bring your tears, get practical help from God’s Word, and experience compassion for every step of your journey. Purchase your copy here.
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Find real-life encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Revelation 21:4, “'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (NIV).
How does it help you to know that death isn’t the end of our story? What other truths from Scripture encourage your heart when it comes to this topic?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Thursday, 14 August 2025.
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