Flipping open the pages of my Bible, I turned to the book of Matthew, my scheduled reading for the day, and my entry into the New Testament after months of reading in the Old. This is where I should have picked up my phone and texted my reading partner, Peg, to say, “Hey! We made it! We finished the OT!” But I couldn’t do that, because my friend had been with the Lord for two weeks already.
She’s no longer looking at him through scripture’s “dim mirror” but is now “face to face.” Unlike me, she’s not reading fitfully, so she can “know in part.” She now knows “fully, even as [she has] been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). She is radiant and restored.
And I miss her.
This is the tension every grieving Christian encounters: Good theology is a comfort to the mind, but the heart still grieves. I’m fully plugged into the truth of all that Peg has escaped and all that she can enjoy now. But I’m not ready to experience the world without her in it.
This is the tension every grieving Christian encounters: Good theology is a comfort to the mind, but the heart still grieves.
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I’m grateful that scripture provides lyrics for the sad heart. Rather than stuffing my grief into a Feelings to Deal with Later File, I can be present to my grief while, at the same time, remaining present to the truth about death. There’s an infinite well of comfort in the Bible, but I’ll share just a few verses here to get us started:
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill” (Psalm 3:4).
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3).
Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8).
YES, death is the enemy. We resent its intrusion and long for the day when death’s defeat is full and final. Until that day, we find comfort in the truth that we do not “grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Christ was my friend’s greatest treasure and was, therefore, her hope of eternal life.
Let’s fill the comments section with words of encouragement for those who may stumble upon this post, looking for comfort for their grieving hearts.
In 2026, I want to be more present— wherever I am. When I am with the people I love, I want to be all there. I need to inhabit fully the time and space God has ordained for me to inhabit, to stay present to the emotions that come and the season I’m living through.
I’ll be writing one post every month on the theme. To find them all, CLICK HERE.
I’m grateful that scripture provides lyrics for the sad heart and reassurance that I can be present to my grief while, at the same time, remaining present to the truth about death. There’s an infinite well of comfort in the Bible.
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This is timely, Michele. Our niece’s husband passed away Monday after a brutal battle with cancer. He was only in his early fifties. It’s a strange but true mix that we can be glad for a person to be with the Lord they love and yet still feel the sadness of our loss of them.
One verse someone sent me when my mother died that helped was Psalm 94:19 in the KJV: “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
And several years ago when a beloved pastor died, this prayer of Jesus helped: “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” John 17:24, ESV).
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I’m so sorry that your family is experiencing this sadness. I appreciate the verses you shared, especially the second one because I have never thought of it in this context.
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1 Thessalonians 4:13-15
13 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”
As you mentioned, this is one that I’ve leaned on, too. Doesn’t take it away, but it is our hope. ~ Rosie
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I have this one memorized, so I keep it close by at all times. It’s a good one!
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I’ve found when grieving Michele that I just need to be;
be sad,
be comforted,
be teary,
be glad for having had the privilege of knowing my loved one
& be myself (not anyone else’s expectations).
In other words;
Be still & know that God is God, He is the greatest comforter of all & He is with me.”
May you know His comfort at this time my friend.
Bless you, Jennifer
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You’ve hit the nail on the head, Jennifer! We definitely need to be counter-culturally patient with the process.
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‘Good theology is a comfort to the mind, but the heart still grieves.’
May we be quietly present. Listen thoughtfully. Be the hands and feet of Jesus in the most gentle yet practical ways.
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Amen! May it be so!
Nothing is wasted in God’s economy.
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It is hard when our Aaron and Hurs walk on ahead of us to where we are desire to go, too. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Peg, Michele. I imagine those conversations you two have had are filled with a faith and friendship legacy you carry with you today. I hold on to 1 Thess 4:13 – we do not grieve as those who have no hope, and I have the legacy of remembered goodness to ponder when they are not physically present for a conversation. What a reunion, one day–and I stand on that!
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“The legacy of remembered goodness” is a rich treasure. Thank you for your encouraging thoughts!
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His Word brings comfort and His Presence brings reassurance, comfort, and hope. We do not grieve as those without hope for we know we will see Him face-to-face. May the Lord continue to comfort you, Michele, as you grieve the loss of your dear friend, Peg.
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It’s a bittersweet thing to lose a friend of so many years, knowing that she is with the Lord, but also regretting the loss. Thank you for kind words.
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I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, Michele. Learning to live in grief and still holding on to our faith is the best we can do.
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I think God intends for our sorrow to drive us to him for comfort and meaning. I wonder if that’s the “good” Paul refers to in Romans 8:28.
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Grief is such a personal thing. I have grieved family members. I have grieved friends. I have grieved the loss of jobs and a myriad of other things. Sadly, I know that I have also grieved the Holy Spirit.
The good news is that our Creator is always waiting to love us back to wholeness.
Visiting from One Word 2026
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“love us back to wholeness”
What a beautiful way of describing the healing process!
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I’m sorry for your loss, Michele. Staying present with grief isn’t something we’re taught to do. At least not well. But it’s important. You obviously loved your friend very much; that’s what I see. Sending you love!
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Thank you for seeing that. It’s so very true that I can’t get through a day without thinking of something that I “need to tell her.” I’m grateful that 2026 is being shepherded by the intention to stay PRESENT to what comes.
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Oh Michele … I’m sorry for the loss of your friend, and for the sadness you feel when you want to share something with her but you can’t. “Good theology is a comfort to the mind, but the heart still grieves.” So very true. The verse that came to mind is Psalm 16:11: “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” When my mom died, it struck me that the path of life, for her, led through a cemetery. That didn’t take away my sorrow, but it did comfort my heart.
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Isn’t it amazing that with God (and ONLY with God) there are no stray atoms, no dead end stories.
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