38 Bible Verses to Help You Through Grief and Loss

In the midst of life's trials and tribulations, there are times when the pain of grief and loss can feel overwhelming. During these dark moments, it's essential to remember that grief is not only a natural but also a godly emotion, created by our loving Creator to help us cope with loss. Embracing our grief and allowing ourselves to experience the full range of emotions that come with it is an integral part of the healing process. Jesus himself, in his Sermon on the Mount, taught us, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).

As we navigate the challenges of bereavement, it's important to acknowledge that our mourning is not in vain. The Bible, with its timeless wisdom and messages of hope, provides a source of comfort and solace to those who are facing grief and loss. Jesus' teachings, as well as the many stories and verses found in scripture, remind us that God is not only aware of our suffering but is also present to comfort us in our time of need.

One powerful example of faith and resilience in the face of loss can be found in the story of Job. Job's journey through grief and his unwavering trust in God's presence offer an inspiring testament to the power of faith in overcoming adversity. While Job’s friends often failed him, Job ultimately found comfort in God’s sovereignty. As we explore the comforting words of scripture, we hope to offer support and encouragement to those who are mourning, affirming that grief is a godly emotion and that we can indeed find comfort in God’s presence.

Let the following verses speak to your heart and bring healing and solace during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the knowledge that God is with you, and that through your mourning, His presence and love will guide you toward healing and renewed hope.

Bible Verses about Grief

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;"

Psalm 6:6-7

"I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes."

Isaiah 53:3

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

Genesis 37:34-35

"Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, 'No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.' Thus his father wept for him."

1 Samuel 30:4

"Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep."

Psalm 31:9

"Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also."

Psalm 119:28

"My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!"

Job 30:25

"Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the poor?"

Jeremiah 8:18

"My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick within me."

Lamentations 3:19-20

"Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me."

Bible Verses that Encourage Mourning

2 Samuel 1:11-12

"Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword."

Psalm 35:14

"I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning."

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

"It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."

Job 2:11-13

"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great."

Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

John 11:33-35

"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept."

Romans 12:15

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

God’s Presence in our Grief

Deuteronomy 31:8

"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."

Psalm 23:4

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 46:1-2

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."

Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Comfort for those who Mourn

Psalm 23:1-4

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 34:18

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Psalm 147:3

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Isaiah 66:13

"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem."

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"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."

1 Peter 5:7

"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

Hope for those who Grieve

Psalm 30:5

"For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

Isaiah 61:1-3

"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."

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Lamentations 3:22-23

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

John 14:1-3

"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

Romans 8:18

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Philippians 3:20-21

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."

Revelation 21:4

"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."

A Prayer for those in Mourning

Dear Heavenly Father,

In the depths of my pain and sorrow, I come to You, Lord, seeking Your presence and comfort. My heart is broken, and the grief I feel is overwhelming. I cannot fully comprehend the extent of this loss, and I struggle to make sense of it all. In this time of darkness, I lift my tear-stained face towards You, trusting that You are here with me in my heartache.

Oh Lord, I don't want to suppress my grief or pretend that everything is alright. I know that You created me with the capacity to mourn, and I choose to embrace this sacred emotion, allowing myself to feel the weight of my loss fully. In my anguish and despair, I cry out to You, my God, my Comforter, and my Rock.

As I sit in the midst of my grief, I ask for Your presence to surround me, to hold me close, and to minister to my soul. Let Your loving arms enfold me as I weep, and let me find comfort in the knowledge that You are near, even in the darkest moments of my life.

Lord, help me to be honest with You about the pain I am experiencing. Guide me through the depths of my mourning and allow me to express my sorrow openly, knowing that You hear every cry and collect every tear. In Your infinite wisdom, You understand the complexities of my heart, and I trust that You will walk with me every step of the way.

I am grateful, Lord, for Your unwavering presence and the assurance that, even in the midst of my grief, You will never leave me nor forsake me. Please remain by my side as I navigate this journey of loss, and in time, let Your healing touch restore my broken heart.

In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.