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

Losing a loved one is difficult, but a close family member—particularly a child, spouse, or parent, can be even more gut-wrenching. The effects of such loss manifest uniquely for each person and situation. Processing and adjusting to overwhelming loss are harder for some than others. Grief lingers for some people for many, many years. We tend to internalize it and alter our coping methods to function in day-to-day life. Sadness, denial, confusion, shock, numbness, and anger are valid emotions! Considering this, compassion for self and others is SO important!

God is present in our moments of weakness. When sorrow’s weight is so heavy and we feel like we can’t walk another step alone, He carries us! Our Heavenly Father grieves with us. He watched His only beloved Son be crucified and feels grief just like we do— we are made in His image.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 assures us that there is, “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Finding that balance is the prayer of all faced with this challenging circumstance.

God desires so much more for us than to simply survive. He offers us victory over every battle to reclaim our joy and happiness. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (Psalm 55:22). His Word keeps us grounded and provides every needed extension of hope!

If you do not know Jesus, lean INTO Him in your grief. Ask Him to be Lord over your life; you will never be alone again. If it’s difficult to find the words to speak, simply say, “Dear Jesus, I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me of my sins and set my feet on Your righteous path. Amen.” He is a wonderful Counselor, Hiding Place, and Shelter from every storm. Let Him be all those things for you!

Guiding Points:

Call to Action: Seek God and His divine direction in good times and in bad. Read His Word and let the Holy Spirit comfort you through any grief or loss you may be experiencing. If you are caring for someone going through a time of loss, share this encouragement with them and let them know you are praying for them.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

“Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

“Now all glory to God, Who is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for being with us today. We ask You to be Lord over our lives, to comfort, strengthen, and deliver us from any grief we feel. You know and see our pain, and grieve with us. Please help us reclaim joy and happiness in You. Let us not just be survivors but warriors over our circumstances, as You guide our way. We love You, Lord! In Your precious name, we pray, Amen!

Final Thought: “His grace is sufficient, for His power is made perfect in weakness!” (2 Corinthians 12:9).