What Does The Bible Say About Grief?
What Does The Bible Say About Grief?
Pastor Josh Walters answers the question “what does the Bible say about grief” by sharing some Bible verses about grief, and sharing his own personal journey through grief.
This Is Us – Part 3: A Guide for Grief – Josh Walters
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. John 16:33 (NLT)
5 STAGES OF GRIEF
• Shock/Disbelief – Individual believes the news is somehow mistaken and they cling to a false, more preferable reality.
• Anger – Individual acknowledges that denial can’t go on forever. The become frustrated, especially towards those closest to them.
• Bargaining/Guilt – The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control through a series of ‘If only’ statements. If only we had _________. Guilt often accompanies bargaining because we believe there is something we could have done.
• Depression – It is challenging for the individual to overcome their sadness. They may become silent, withdraw or refuse visitors.
• Acceptance and Hope – Individual embraces their mortality and inevitable future, or that of a loved one. This stage comes with a calm retrospective view and a stable condition of emotions.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NLT)
THREE THOUGHTS THAT LEAD TO LIFE
1. I SHOULD GRIEVE
When Jacob died (Genesis 50:3 and 10 ESV): v3 And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. v10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and grievous lamentation, and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
When Aaron died (Numbers 20:29 ESV): And when all the congregation saw that Aaron had perished, all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days.
When Moses died (Deut 34:7-8 ESV): Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
When Saul and Jonathan died (2 Samuel 1:11-12 ESV): 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.
2. I SHOULD GRIEVE IN COMMUNITY
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27 (NIV)
When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. Job 2:12-13 (NIV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 (NIV)
3. I SHOULD GRIEVE IN COMMUNITY WITH HOPE
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. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (NIV)
I lost my grandpa early this am. He was my father figure. Pastor Josh, your words and past experience with grief has blessed so many of us. Thank you for sharing
Our mom just got called home to heaven. She was 83. Amazing woman with amazing life. We will all miss her dearly. The grief is real and deep even though we knew this was coming.
I don’t go to church I rather listen to this man all day
I’ve lost my 41 yr old daughter Feb.14 It has killed me. She fell at UT 3 Days later leg swelling then Friday Dr then Sunday night not doing real well Feb 14 she’s gone
Yes, women do deliverance light, Let the men like Bob Larson do real down in the dirt spiritual warfare.
Such a great message…sorry for your loss. The testament of God on the importance of grief.
My predicament is my mom has been an atheist my whole life but I am i am
a God believer. This would mean that if i am lucky enough to go to
Heaven I will not be e able to see her and that cause much grief. Does
anyone have answers?
Why does the transcript at 15:16 omit the Scripture of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14?
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died."
My husband went to heaven on 12/22/19. Working on being strong, but even after two years, I struggle. We were together 50 years. Thank you for this message.
Five years in after my husband passed. I’m not the same I’m still grieving. I look for him every day. I am struggling not to make bad decisions. I struggle everyday. I have tried grief counseling, I found I’m not consumable for public appearances. I rather stay home and pray.
I lost my rabbit yesterday. For others she’s just a rabbit but for me she is a part of our family and brought so much JOY in my life. I hope she is in heaven at peace.
Unexpectedly lost my mom 2 weeks ago. Completely devestated. She was healthy caught and pneumonia 1/8/22. In hospital 2 months spent the last month and half on ventilator for no reason. My family members are separating. Division, greed has come upon this family. Mom could of lived another 20 years. In disbelief I feel angry it’s not fair she’s the sweetest, most generous, caring person, humble person i ever knew. Thank you for this video. Sharing with my family
Que Deus abençoe nossos irmaos do mundo todo
Ive suffered so much loss in my life and all I want is for my mom to be okay ! I pray God protects my mommy I love you mom your going to be okay I love you mommy in Jesus name we pray!
Thank you
Grief is the death of Love.
I lost my husband 7 months ago to Covid
I lost my precious only child I had left, my beautiful baby girl, my daughter of 17 on 4 September 2022 @ 18h, she was so scared in hospital, she just wanted to be with me back home. I feel extreme guilt for not rather having her in peace at home. Just 21 months ago, we lost her brother. I have to trust that I will see both my son and daughter again, or I will have no hope to go on…. My heart, soul and spirit died with them. I pray Jesus revives me. Resuscitate my spirit. For it died with her.
I just came across this 2:44 am my oldest son dj passed on July 30th, 2020 from covid he was 39….a kind young man I miss him it’s hard losing a child.
Is it bad that I, at 41 yrs old, have to research how to grieve? We lost both our parents 4 days apart from each other in Aug. 2021. The claws from my siblings have come out, dealing with Missouri’s probate process, stresses from work and other personal matters. I don’t feel that I have had time to grieve. But, at the same time, I don’t really know how to grieve. Sigh.
Lost My brother. Our only brother, my sister’s and I lost our baby brother. I’m the oldest and I found him. I walked thru disbelief for a month, I called him a few times out of habit because mentally I don’t think I accepted that this is my reality. And I’m stuck in-between anger and Deep painful PAIN. I cry when I don’t want to. I cry any time anything outside of "him" go wrong. I cry when I’m alone, I went to church for the first time in years today, because I needed to feel hope I needed to feel comfort from Jesus and I cried silently in church until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I am just so hurt because I called him the night prior and when he didn’t answer I told myself that I would just go to his house but I didn’t go, I went home and went to the casino and All that night I felt heaviness in my heart but I didn’t put the pieces together fast enough. And the next day was too late. I’m just looking for understanding and hope.
My father died when I was a small child and every birthday, Father’s Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc., there is always that empty chair at the table. It’s a lifetime of mourning.
My mom passed away 5 months and 3 days ago. This sermon is helping! Thank God I found this! ❤️
I lost my 10 month old baby girl. She was born with hydrocephalus and suffered other health conditions for the 10 months she was alive till she passed on 8th May, 2022. So many believers prayed with us for the time she was alive but she finally went to be with the Lord. Sometimes I wonder why? I believed that she would recover like other children
Just lost my Father unexpected March 15, 2022
Yeah, grief really stinks I mean sometimes you feel selfish like my boyfriend died five years ago and we were friends ever since we were 10 and started dating when we were 13 at least I know he has regular eyes now at least I know he doesn’t have the fake prosthetic eyes and I know one day I’ll be able to see you too but I would give back all the blessings I’ve had and people said Chi if you could see if God bless you with your site would you want it and I said no because I wouldn’t want to see in a world without Leon Stewart and I feel like he feel the same way grief is just hard and I know people say well he’s with Jesus and you know it’s great but it still hurts for the people down here yeah whoever they’re grieving is with Jesus if they’re a Christian but for those of us who are still down here it hurts
Grief 320320 from Albuquerque New Mexico.
I lost my sole mate. In March 2022 56yrs. Miss him so much. They are so many people going thru some greaf prayers to all going through this. I’m not alone.
I had been married to my beloved soulmate for 56 precious years ago and cancer took her two year and three months ago and it has gotten worse. We were together ever day after retirement and if you saw one of us you would see the other. Grieving is so bad but we know where she is and it has made me a lot better Christian and looking for our reunion before long.
Well said, well done. Amen
Monetising grief.
Shabby.
My 33 yr old daughter tragically passed 3 months ago. Traumatic brain injury. Her losses has shattered my heart
I lost my daughter 42 yrs old. The day after Thanksgiving, she battled menistatic breast cancer for 10 yrs. Her estranged husband, took My grandson to live out of state,, with him, girlfriend and his daughter. I (we)wasn’t (weren’t) allowed to see/talk to my grandson upon his departure.
It’s a heart wrenching situation. Every day is new grieving period. Those that haven’t endured such a situation, can’t fathom what grieving is.
I just lost my dad tonight due to a chronic medical condition. Never felt this deep sorrow. We already knew this was coming a few months back. He is ready to be with the Lord. We thought we are ready. Still it hit me hard. Came across this message and comforted me. Browsed the comments and found I am not alone. The Lord led me here. Thank you.
My adopted daughter she’s 17 walked out of my life and left me heart broken, I loved her so much I’m in shock she seemed so close to me I never suspected she was contemplating leaving. Would you pray I find it so hard to live without her x
Our Father in Heaven honoured be your Name
HalleluJAH
Praise JAH
Praise JehovAH
Jah is a contraction of Jehovah
I wasnt able to go home for two years because of covid. When I finally came home my dad was already in a coffin. I didnt see him for years, no goodbye or last words, no anything. I coulndt hug him anymore. Guilt and grief is crushing me. I miss him badly.
This guy is a fraud. He literally referred to a dead baby as "it". He did it real fast and it’s hard to catch, but I caught it.