Bible Verses About Grief: Encouragement to Endure and Find Comfort

Loss is part of life, but simply knowing so doesn’t make it any easier. The death of loved ones often puts a strain on those left behind and at times it can feel like the pain never ends. For Christians, an important part of healing from grief is derived from Scripture. Consider the following Bible verses about grief to help you endure.

Whether for private reading and reflection or as a message to put on a condolence note, the Bible has many meaningful verses to comfort those who are experiencing grief. And we want to help you by providing you with a list of some of the most powerful Bible verses about grief and loss.

If faith is a big part of your life, or the life of your loved one, turning to the Bible’s timeless wisdom can significantly help with the healing process. Biblical verses have been used for millennia as a way of making sense of a tragedy and ultimately helping to heal. Highlighting encouraging verses, discussing comforting Scripture with loved ones, or otherwise getting involved in one’s faith-based practices can be a healthy way of mourning and showing sympathy.

Grieving can be the most difficult time for people. Trying to balance the feelings of pain and loss as you go about your daily life. Give yourself space and time, be honest with your emotions, and don’t just grieve and don’t lose hope. With this collection of Bible verses about grief, you can turn to the Scriptures for ease and comfort as we look to overcome pain.

Bible Verses About Grief

Do you need some calming words right now? Here are some verses that will help put your troubles and tribulations into perspective.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. – Psalm 9:9, ESV

King David always knew to turn to God in good times and in times of grief. The book of Psalms is one of the best places you can turn to if you are experiencing grief. Psalms are often used in funeral scriptures for that particular reason.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalm 18:2, ESV

It is comforting to know that God acts as a fortress for all believers.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. – Psalm 23:1, ESV

Many Christians are familiar with these words. Take a moment to stop and think about what Psalm 23 means. A shepherd’s main purpose is to care for his defenseless sheep. This shepherd does not just give you water to drink, but provides other things you need in life and also restores your soul.

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. – Psalm 27:4-5, ESV

This verse gives comfort in two ways. It is a reminder that your loved one is gazing upon the beauty of the Lord in Heaven. It also reminds you that even though you may be experiencing trouble while on Earth, God sets you high upon a rock to protect you.

Jesus wept – John 11:35, ESV

This is the shortest verse of the Bible, but it says a lot. If Jesus could experience the sorrow of loss, then nobody is immune to grief. Sometimes it is comforting to know that misery has company.

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18, ESV

If you are still and quiet, you may feel the Lord’s presence near you, but you may need to stop and listen for it.

He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3, ESV

God heals our broken hearts, especially when we lose someone we love. Unfortunately, there is no timetable for grief, but you can cling to the promise that God heals broken hearts.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what 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; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; – Ecclesiastes 3:1-17, ESV

We are living on borrowed time. Death comes for us all, but before it does, we must make the best use of our time. Celebrate your loved ones while you still have time for them, and allow yourself to mourn them when they are gone. These verses are a reminder to cherish whatever time we have to be joyful.

The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18, ESV

Although Heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His footstool, He is not far away from us. God is with us through all the trials and tribulations, prepared to mend our broken hearts if we reach out to Him and trust Him.

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. – John 16:33, ESV

Death is not the end. Through Jesus, we are assured that we have overcome the wages of sin. Take heart in this knowledge and allow the peace of God to comfort you in your grief.

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? – Psalm 56:8, ESV

God sees your pain and releases His grace and mercy as comfort. He will restore what was lost and bring healing.

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. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, ESV

We have hope and an expected end. Death is not the end. There is life beyond the grave, and eternal rest for those who believe in Christ. You will be reunited with the loved ones you lost. Live on with the hope of meeting them again in the resurrection. Meditate on these verses regularly to remind yourself of this promise.

Christian Counseling for the Grieving Process

If you have lost a loved one and need assistance to cope with the loss, please contact our offices to schedule an appointment with a counselor. Support is available if you’re finding it hard to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression.