Going through the death of a loved one is a traumatic experience. Instead of feeling at peace, we feel overcome with pain and sorrow. After my mother passed away, I drowned deep in grief. I didn't want to believe she was dead, nor did I want to face life without her. My mother and I had a difficult relationship, but that never changed how much I loved her or how much I still love her.
After her passing, I had to deal with grief in new ways. Grief has a way of changing us. For some of us, it causes us to become more melancholy, and for others, it can make us more eager to spend time with our loved ones who are still here. Personally, I side more with the former as it is hard to move on after the death of someone close to you. Every day can feel like a struggle.
If you are going through the death of a loved one today, know you are not alone. God is always present in your sorrow, and He will surround you with His love. It might be hard to believe right now, but there will be better days in the future. You won't always mourn, nor will you always feel like you are going to cry. There will be days of sunshine, joy, and happiness.
However, for the time being, you need to focus on processing your grief, and the best way to do this is by turning to the Bible. Here are five Bible verses to reflect on after going through the death of a loved one.
1. John 11:25
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” (John 11:25)
John 11:25 is a beautiful Bible verse to reflect on after your loved one has passed away. Within the context of this passage, Jesus is speaking to Martha. Martha is Lazarus’ sister. Lazarus had passed away, yet the Lord was comforting Martha with these worlds. Similar to how Jesus comforted Martha with these words, He will also comfort us.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him will live even though they die. Take great comfort in this promise. Everyone who believes in Jesus has eternal life through His Name. If your loved one passes away and belongs to the Lord, then you can rest in the beauty that they are now with Him in Heaven. Never again will they have to face death, pain, or agony. Instead, they will live a life of true happiness.
If your loved one passes away without knowing the Lord, I can understand how painful this can be. None of us want our loved ones to die without knowing the Lord. During this time, seek out comfort from God and His love. He will surround you with His love and comfort. Also, lean on other believers and family members. They will be able to provide comfort to your heart.
2. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
After a loved one has passed away, it is hard to maintain peace in our hearts. Instead of feeling peaceful, we feel restless and full of sorrow. Choose to give this pain over to the Lord. He can carry this pain for you and give you lasting relief. We are not strong enough on our own, yet He is strong beyond measure.
If you are in need of peace, turn to John 14:27. Through this passage, we see the Lord speaking to His disciples. He tells them that He is leaving them with His peace. He does not give as the world gives—rather, He gives His peace freely. The Lord urges us to not be troubled or afraid. Find comfort and support in this verse as you are mourning your loved one.
Jesus will give you peace. He is the exact embodiment of peace and He gives freely. Go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for His peace. He will surround you with His peace that surpasses all understanding. Where the Lord is present, peace will abound.
3. John 16:22
“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22
When a loved one passes away, we will go through a period of grief. Since grief does not have a timeline, it can be a long process, and for some people, it can endure their entire lives. Rest in the promise that you are not alone during this time. The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all with you. Allow them to comfort your soul and give your heart rest.
Within the passage of John 16:22, the Lord tells us now is our time of grief, but we will see our loved ones again. At this time, we will rejoice and no one will ever take away our joy. When Jesus was speaking the words of John 16:22, He was referring to His own death. This is why He says, “but I will see you again and you will rejoice.”
Just as the disciples saw the Lord again after His death, we, too, will see our loved ones again in Heaven. The period of time between now and when we will see our loved ones again is relatively short compared to eternity. All of our tears will be wiped away by Jesus Himself (Revelation 21:4). Look forward to this day with a heart of hope.
4. Psalm 23:1-2
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:1-2)
The day after my mom passed away, my sister pointed out Psalm 23 to me. It had been a favorite of hers and given her much comfort. She suggested that I, too, could find comfort in this passage from the Bible. Psalm 23 is a beautiful passage that teaches us about our Good Shepherd. He is always protecting us, keeping us safe, and providing rest for our weary souls.
Additionally, He provides us with safety. Our Good Shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, we lack nothing. He calls us to lie down in green pastures, and He leads us beside quiet waters during our times of grief. We can find rest and restoration through the Lord. Go to Him today and rest in His love.
5. 1 Thessalonians 4:14
“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
A final passage to reflect on when we are facing the death of a loved one is 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Within a broader context, this passage refers to the rapture of the church. However, this specific passage can bring comfort into our hearts after a loved one has passed away. As Paul tells us in this passage, just as we believe that Jesus died and rose again, the Father will also bring with Jesus all those who have placed faith in Him.
The last time you saw your loved one alive was not the end. They are still alive, although they are not here on earth. Your loved one is with Jesus in Heaven, and they will return with the Lord. Allow this truth to bring your heavy heart hope today. The Lord is good, and we can fully rely on Him.
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Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.