The Bible contains many stories about loss and grief. Christians suffering the loss of a loved one, the loss of cherished hopes and unfulfilled desires may find comfort and solace in the Scriptures.
Jesus Experienced Loss and Grief
Jesus Himself dealt with loss and disappointments. John 11 tells the story of Lazarus, a friend of Christ. The Bible says that Jesus loved Lazarus and his family as John 11:5 states in these words, “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”
Contrary to ideas that God is unmoved by human suffering and loss, the Scriptures offer glimpses of an emotional Christ. Christ was obviously moved by grief when he accompanied the two sisters to Lazarus’ grave, because in John 11: 35, it clearly states that, “Jesus wept.”
The Man of Sorrows
The tender-hearted and compassionate Saviour was prophesied to be, “A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,” in Isaiah 53:3. Jesus knows what it is like to grieve according to Hebrews 4: 15, 16 where it says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Help for Dealing with Grief
The Bible offers words of hope and encouragement to Christians struggling with grief. Here is what the Bible teaches about loss and grieving.
- God will raise the dead in Christ according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14 where it says, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”
- God comforts His people according to Isaiah 49: 13 where it states, “For the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.”
- Those who mourn will be comforted according to Jesus who said in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
- God comforts those go through troubles according to these words recorded in 2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
These verses from the Bible can offer comfort to a religious individual who is experiencing sadness and grief. The grieving Christian may look to the the Bible for comfort as did the psalmist who recorded these words in Psalm 119:50, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
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