I’m sorry you’re going through grief. It can be a painful, confusing, and frustrating time. When I’m in a season of grieving for a loved one, I struggle to remember God’s love in the face of the difficult emotions I’m feeling. I need spiritual encouragement during grief when nothing else seems to help.

I have found solace in scripture time and time again. Here are some of my favorite Bible verses to help you find greater peace during the stages of grief.

Denial

“My heart is in anguish within me.
the terrors of death have fallen on me.
Fear and trembling have beset me.
horror has overwhelmed me.
I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
I would flee far away
and stay in the desert;
I would hurry to my place of shelter,
far from the tempest and storm.’”
Psalm 55:4-7, NIV

It’s hard to wrap our heads around grief and loss, especially when it happens suddenly, or takes someone very dear from us. You don’t have to rush that feeling or try to force yourself to accept the death of someone you care about. Share your feelings with God in that moment by finding a verse like this one to meditate on.

Anger

“My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, ‘When will you comfort me?’”
Psalm 119:82

There have been times during my most difficult seasons of grief when others have promised God’s comfort is on the way. But I’m still angry about my loved one being gone.

If you’re angry, that’s normal. You can express your anger to God by using verses like this one in prayer. He will not abandon you or punish you for feeling angry, and you don’t ever have to be afraid to let him know how you really feel.

Bargaining

“‘Abba, Father… everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’”
Mark 14:36, NIV

Even Jesus found death hard to face, and He prayed that God would take the cup of sorrow from Him. I hope remembering how human Jesus is and how much He was willing to struggle for us will comfort you and help you reach out for Him during the complicated bargaining stage of grief. He is always here, and He won’t turn you away.

Depression

“How long, Lord?
Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.”
Psalm 13

This short prayer from the Psalms is so encouraging to me when I am wrestling with depression, whether grieving or facing one of life’s many struggles. While happy words may not always be comforting, it is helpful to know that many other people have struggled with depression and have come to find hope during grief with God’s help.

Acceptance

“He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.’” - Psalm 46:10

Acceptance is a difficult stage to reach, but it is possible. Give yourself time to accept God’s presence, even if you don’t feel it, during your time of grief. He has not forgotten you, and there are still many reminders around you of His love and mercy.

Even with encouragement like these verses, it’s still hard to find healing from grief. TheHopeLine is always here for you. We offer grief support through online mentoring and lots of other resources for coping with grief.

Talk to a HopeCoach if you’re grieving and need extra help. We know you can get through this, and you don’t have to face this alone.

We also have a partner, GriefShare, who is a caring support group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences.