Losing a parent or child is one of the most painful experiences a person can endure. Grief is heavy, and it can shake the very foundation of our faith. When I was 12 years old, my father died in an industrial accident, leaving my mother a widow with four small children. It was a devastating loss, but in the midst of the pain, we saw God’s hand at work. He provided, comforted, and carried us through a difficult season.
Recently, a young piano student of mine lost his father to illness. His pain is fresh, his grief deep. What can we say to those walking through such darkness? How can we encourage them to trust God in the middle of such loss?
The Reality of Grief
Grief is real and painful. Even Jesus, who knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, wept at his tomb (John 11:35). The Bible does not minimize our suffering but acknowledges it. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God does not expect us to ignore our pain; instead, He walks with us through it.
Trusting God When We Don’t Understand
Loss often raises difficult questions: Why did this happen? Where was God? While we may never fully understand, we can rest in the truth that God is still good, loving, and sovereign. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Trusting God does not mean we won’t feel pain, but it does mean we believe He will guide us even when the way is unclear.
God’s Promises in Grief
- He will never leave us. – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
- He brings comfort. – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
- He gives us hope. – “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
These promises are not empty words; they are the foundation that holds us when everything else feels like it is falling apart.
Walking Through Grief with God
- Be honest with God. Pour out your heart to Him (Psalm 62:8). Tell Him your pain, your questions, and your fears.
- Lean on Christian community. Don’t grieve alone. God places people in our lives to support us (Galatians 6:2).
- Hold onto hope. If your loved one knew Christ, you will see them again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). And even in grief, God is writing a new chapter for your life.
- Remember God’s faithfulness. Looking back, I can see how God provided for my mother, my siblings, and me. He was faithful then, and He is faithful now.
A God Who Understands Our Loss
Ultimately, God understands our grief because He experienced it. He watched His Son suffer and die on the cross for us. But He also brought resurrection. Our grief does not have the final word—God’s love and redemption do.
If you are walking through the loss of a parent, a child, or a loved one, know this: You are not alone. God sees you, He loves you, and He will carry you through.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)
Trust Him. He is still writing your story.
