Grieving with God: How to Find Comfort in Time of Deep Loss

Grief has a way of pulling everything inward. It slows time. It takes the words out of your mouth and replaces them with questions, memories, and moments that will never happen again. Whether you’re grieving someone who passed or the loss of what could have been, it’s a weight that changes you.

God is not distant in grief. He doesn’t wait for you to “get better” or “move on.” He’s near, even in the silence, even when your prayers don’t feel like they’re doing anything, even when you can barely whisper His name.

Grieving with God isn’t about trying to rush the process. It’s about recognizing that you’re not going through it alone.

The Presence of God in Sorrow

There will be those days when your sadness feels too big for your body to hold. That’s when God’s presence becomes more than just a comforting idea; it becomes necessary. There’s something steady and quiet about God’s nearness when everything else falls apart.

Scripture reminds us:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

This verse doesn’t offer a quick fix or a religious answer. It simply tells the truth. God comes close when hearts are broken. He sees the tears that never fall. He knows the words you’re too tired to speak. And He stays.

You don’t have to clean yourself up or explain why you’re still hurting. You don’t have to feel guilty for having good moments either. The Lord walks with you through all of it. He is there during the waves of pain, the quiet afternoons, the flashbacks, and the nights when you just can’t sleep.

When the Pain Doesn’t Let Up

There’s no set timeline for grief. Some people find their way back to a new rhythm quickly. Others struggle to get out of bed months or years later. Neither is wrong. Your loss is yours, and no one else gets to tell you how to carry it.

But even when it feels like your soul is barely holding together, there’s still room to reach for God.

That doesn’t always mean long, eloquent prayers. It can be as simple as whispering, “Be near.” It can be playing worship music when your heart is too sore to speak. It can be writing a letter to God and asking Him the questions that live in your chest.

You may not get answers, but what you will get is presence. A God who doesn’t disappear when things are messy.

Two Things You Can Do While Grieving

1. Start Your Day with God

Set aside 10 to 15 minutes each day to sit quietly with Him. No pressure to talk. No need to feel anything specific. Just sit, breathe, and let yourself be where you are. You might cry. You might sit in silence. You might read a Psalm. However it looks, it’s your moment with Him. Grief doesn’t always need words, but it does require care.

2. Ask God for Strength and Guidance

One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to take a moment to ask God for the strength to navigate your emotions. Ask Him to give you insight into what to do next on your healing journey, and to help you rely entirely on Him to carry you through each day until the pain no longer hurts the way it does right now.

Let Yourself Be Carried

Keep this in mind when you are grieving with God: it doesn’t mean pretending you’re okay. It means allowing yourself to feel what you’re feeling fully and still choosing to bring those feelings to the One who holds you. You don’t have to explain to anyone why you’re still hurting. You don’t have to force joy. You are not behind. You are not weak. You are a human who loved deeply, and now you’re learning to live with that love in a different way.

There may be days when you feel stronger. Days when you laugh again. And there may be days when the ache returns without warning. Both are part of the walk.

God is not waiting on the other side of your pain. He’s in it with you. 

Made For You Journal

Take a few quiet moments to reflect and write your thoughts with God:

1. What am I feeling most deeply right now in my grief?
2. How have I sensed God’s presence during this loss, even in small ways?
3. What memories or lessons from my loved one can I hold onto as a source of comfort or strength?
4. In what ways can I care for myself today while honoring my emotions?
5. How can I lean on God and the support of others to help me through this season? 

Time with God 

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being near when my heart feels heavy and my world feels uncertain. Please comfort me in my grief, wrap me in Your love, and give me the strength to face each day. Help me to feel Your presence, trust Your timing, and know that You are holding me even when I cannot see the way forward. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A Truth To Hold On To

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV) 

If this blog has touched your heart and you feel like talking, we’re here to listen.  You can schedule an Empathetic Listening Session when you're ready.