Bible Verses About Loss: Encouragement from a Christian Counselor

Often during grief and difficult times in our lives, whether it’s the death of a loved one or another significant loss, we may feel that God has turned his back on us or has let us down in some way; however, the Bible consistently reassures us that God cares for us all the time and is particularly close to us during difficult times.

God and Loss

God put these verses in the Bible because He knew that we would have these doubts about His presence, so He repeatedly reassures us that He is especially close to us during tough times.

The Bible verses regarding loss also consistently remind us that any heartache or pain that we suffer here on earth will be taken away in eternal life. We are encouraged to have a mindset of eternity. While it can be hard for us to grasp the reality of eternity, it serves as a reminder that the grief and heartbreak we experience during our lifetime are a fleeting period compared to eternity.

I find it comforting that God understands our shortcomings and struggles and consistently gives us reassurance in the Bible.

Bible Verses About Loss in the Psalms

Now let’s look at a few of these verses in particular. One of the most frequently recited scriptures is Psalm 34:18, which states, “the Lord draws near to the brokenhearted.” You may wonder how God is closer to us during times when we are brokenhearted since he is always with us.

Remembering that God is our father, I like to think of a parent and child. While the parent may always be nearby, when a child is hurt, the parent goes to the child and often will hold them, comfort them, hug them, and say comforting words to ease their pain.

I think when we are brokenhearted, we are more open to God’s direct comfort, empathy, and healing presence. This brings us into a deeper, more intimate reliance on him. God the Father, through Jesus the Son, experienced human pain, emotional and physical, so He understands our deepest hurts.

Often, during loss, we lose our self-reliance as we don’t know how to comfort ourselves, so God draws near to us so it can be easier for us to reach out to him during these times.

Psalm 147:3 states that not only is God nearby, but “he heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” This reminds us that God also actively heals us and does not just sit with us in our pain but brings us relief in ways that no human can.

Psalm 31:9-10 provides an example of the writer crying out to God, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress; My eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with anguish. My life is consumed by grief and my years by groaning; My strength fails because of my affliction and my bones waste away.”

This scripture reminds us to call out to God in our despair and our loss, even at times when we may feel that God is far away from us. Psalm 61:1-3 also reminds us to call out to God in our distress, as David states that God has been his refuge and a strong tower against the enemy. Psalm 102:7 even notes that we may have trouble sleeping because of our distress. And again, it encourages us to reach out to God for comfort and help.

In Psalm 119:77, the psalmist expresses his distress to God and asks for God to surround him with the tender mercies so that he can live, stating that God’s instructions are his delight. To me, this is a reminder that even at a time when we may feel far from God, it’s important to remember His instructions and follow His commandments. In so doing, we will be comforted and blessed.

Psalm 119:105 notes that God’s “word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path,” which indicates that when we are overwhelmed with grief and loss and just don’t know what to do, we can always turn to God. In the darkest times, He is light.

Bible Verses About Loss in the New Testament

Matthew 5:4 says that God blesses those who mourn over their sin, for they will be comforted. Then later in Chapter 11, Matthew writes that Jesus said that he will give rest to those who come to Him who are weary and carry heavy burdens of sin.

The apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 1:3-5 that God is the source of all comfort and comforts us so that we can then comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. As a counselor leading grief care groups, I have seen how powerful it is for people who have gone through grieving to then come back and lead the group, provide comfort, and testify how God comforted them.

This is also a reminder that God provides for us in many ways, including giving us each other. It’s important not to isolate physically or emotionally when experiencing loss. While we can find a great deal of comfort through prayer and reading the Bible, we can also find comfort in community.

Apostle Paul goes on in 2 Corinthians 12:10 to note that God’s strength is shown through our weakness. As a Christian who has grieved the passing of several family members, I can attest to the fact that, looking back in the darkest times in my weakness, God got me through and provided me strength and comfort.

Part of my personal testimony is how there were times I thought I was destroyed by the loss of family; however, I got through these dark times because of God’s strength and comfort, and now I am in a position to share that with others who are going through similar life situations.

Bible Verses About Loss in Lamentations

There is a myth that Christians should be grateful and not grieve or be upset because we have been so blessed. However, gratitude and grief can exist at the same time. The book of Lamentations shows us that God wants us to share our deepest concerns with him.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between lamenting and complaining. Lamenting is expressing a deep grief while trusting God and seeking him for healing. Complaining is the self-focused grumbling that questions God’s character and often causes bitterness that turns one away from God.

Lamenting is a way of expressing honest pain to God in an intimate and authentic way, trusting that He cares and believing that He will offer comfort that cannot be offered in any other way. I believe that God wants us to have such an authentic relationship with Him.

Lamentations 3:19 notes that the thought of the writer’s suffering is bitter beyond words, and he will never forget this awful time as he grieves over his loss, yet he still dares to hope when he remembers that the faithful love of the Lord never ends and God’s mercies never cease.

Then in verse 31, the author states that no one is abandoned by the Lord forever, though He brings grief, He also shows compassion because of the greatness of His unfailing love, for He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

In summary, God has given us so many Bible verses about loss to comfort, support, lead, and educate us. I find it extremely comforting that God is near when I am brokenhearted, and it doesn’t take much effort on my part to feel His presence and comfort.