Tom Petty sang, “Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks.” It’s true too. Somedays are easier than others, and when it comes to grief, you might be all over the place. But don’t let that scare you or make you think you are not normal. Grieving is difficult and how you deal with grief in your life might be different than how someone else deals with grief in their life. When grief hits, I would encourage you to immerse yourself in the Holy Scriptures for guidance and for comfort. I encourage you to listen to what God has to say about grief. He knows all, and He knows grief. 

Here are a few points to consider from the Bible on how to cope with grief:

1. Allow yourself to grieve: In Ecclesiastes 3:4, it says there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” This should remind us that it’s okay to mourn and grieve and that it’s a natural part of life. Don’t feel guilty for grieving because God has made us able to feel emotions and understand the gravity of what is happening around us or to us. When you feel hurt, disappointed, lonely, or depressed, that can all be a form of grieving. Lean into the weeping and let it comfort you. 

2. Turn to God: The Scriptures say that God is a source of comfort and strength during times of grief. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Not only do we depend on God to rescue us from sin and bring us into righteousness, but we look to God to bring us through the most difficult of situations. Who else could we turn to when we are hurting? Where could we go but to the Lord? In times of grief, it’s important to turn to God for comfort and support.

3. Seek comfort from others: It is absolutely proven that we are always better together. As the mantra goes, “United we stand, divided we fall.” My prayer is that no one ever feels that they have nobody to help them. When you struggle, we all struggle. Romans 12:15 says to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking comfort and support from others during times of grief. You don’t have to go through it alone.

4. Hold onto hope: The beauty of Christianity is that it is a religion of hope. Even when things are tough, there is always something better around the corner. It is during those times that we must be comforted by the trust we put in God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, it says, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” This verse reminds us that, as Christians, we have hope and assurance that we will be reunited with our loved ones in heaven.

5. Allow time for healing: Don’t rush things when you are grieving. Let the healing process do its designed work. Even though we say, “Time will heal all wounds.” I don’t believe this to always be the case. When you have a physical ailment, sometimes this works, but there are cases that time does not heal all physical wounds. The same is true for our mental health. As time passes, we can learn to cope, but that is not always a guarantee that you will ever be healed of the grief you experience. But as time passes, you can learn how to trust God and be comforted by Him and others around you. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” This verse reminds us that God knows how to make us feel better, and it’s important to give ourselves space and time to grieve and heal, letting God do His healing work.

Overall, the Holy Scriptures encourage us to grieve and mourn but also to find comfort and hope in God and in the support of others. I hope this helps someone today. Always reach out to me if you need anything at all. I don’t know everything about grief, but I know a God who does, and I know I can point you to Him, and He will help you. 

God loves you, and so do I, 

Alexander Mills