Grief is one of the most profound and challenging emotions we can experience. When we lose someone dear to us, the world feels different. It’s as though a piece of us is missing. During my own journey of loss, I found that trusting God’s plan and finding peace through Jesus was the only way to navigate the storm of sorrow. If you’re grieving, know that you are not alone. God sees you, He hears you, and He offers comfort as no one else can.
In this post, I want to share the personal lessons I’ve learned over the years about trusting God’s plan in the midst of grief and how God’s comfort can lead us to healing. There is a peace that surpasses understanding, a peace that Jesus offers to those who are willing to receive it.
The Heartache of Loss: A Personal Journey
As a retired teacher, I’ve spent many years helping others navigate their own struggles. Yet, the hardest lesson I ever learned was how to walk through my own grief. After 52 years of marriage, I lost my dear husband to lung cancer. It was not just a loss of a spouse but of a best friend, a partner, and a person who had been my rock for so many years. The pain of losing him was overwhelming.
During those dark days, I found myself asking many questions—questions like, Why did this happen? How do I go on? What now? I was filled with sorrow, but also with a deep sense of longing for God’s comfort.
It was in that space of deep grief that I encountered Jesus in a way I never had before. His presence, His words, and His peace became the lifeline I clung to. Finding peace through Jesus is not just a cliché or a comforting thought. It is a living reality. In times of grief, trusting God’s plan can be the anchor for our souls.
Trusting God’s Plan in Times of Grief
When we’re in the throes of sorrow, it can be hard to trust that God has a plan. The pain is so raw, the loss so profound, that we can easily question why God allows us to experience such heartache. I’ve been there. I’ve wrestled with God in my grief.
But through it all, I’ve learned that trusting God’s plan doesn’t mean we understand everything. It means we choose to surrender our questions and trust that He knows what is best. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds 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.”
While it’s natural to want to understand the why behind our pain, trusting God’s plan means allowing Him to guide us even when the path ahead seems unclear. We may not always understand the reasons for our grief, but we can trust that God’s plan is perfect and that He is with us every step of the way.
God’s Comfort: A Healing Balm for Our Souls
In the darkest moments of my grief, I found that God’s comfort was a healing balm for my broken heart. The Bible speaks so beautifully of God’s comfort, particularly in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
God’s comfort isn’t just about alleviating our pain; it’s about meeting us in our suffering, holding us close, and walking with us through the valley. I found that God’s comfort didn’t always take away the tears or the ache in my heart, but it gave me the strength to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
I remember sitting in my quiet living room, reflecting on the years I had shared with my husband. I felt his absence so deeply, yet in that space of longing, I also felt God’s presence. It wasn’t a voice I heard audibly, but a deep peace in my soul that whispered, “I am with you. You are not alone.” That peace became my anchor. And as I held onto it, I found that God was healing my broken heart in ways I could not have imagined.
Biblical Steps to Finding Peace through Jesus
Grief is a journey. It takes time, and it is different for each person. But there are biblical steps we can take to find peace through Jesus, even in the midst of our pain. Here are a few steps that have helped me along the way:
- Turn to God in Prayer
Prayer is one of the most intimate ways we can connect with God during times of grief. It’s a way to pour out our hearts, to express our sorrow, and to seek His comfort. Even when words fail, God knows the depths of our pain. In Psalm 34:18, we are reminded: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God is near to us in our sorrow. - Cling to God’s Promises
In times of grief, it can be easy to feel abandoned or alone. But we must remember that God’s promises are unshakable. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised to be our comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). By meditating on these promises, we remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness. - Allow Yourself to Grieve
Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35). If Jesus, the Son of God, could experience grief, then it’s okay for us to grieve as well. We must give ourselves permission to mourn, to feel the pain, and to process our emotions. Grief is not something to rush through; it’s something to walk through with God by our side. - Lean on Community
When we are grieving, it’s easy to withdraw from others. But one of the greatest gifts God has given us is the gift of community. Surrounding ourselves with supportive friends, family, and fellow believers can bring tremendous comfort. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Lean on those who can offer support and encouragement.
Healing through God’s Comfort: A Personal Reflection
In my own journey, I found that healing through God’s comfort was not instantaneous. It took time, patience, and a willingness to trust Him with my grief. But over time, I began to notice that the sharp pain of loss began to soften, replaced by the comfort of knowing that God was with me in the midst of it all.
One of the most healing experiences for me was taking my grief to God through prayer. I would sit quietly before Him, not knowing what to say, but trusting that He would understand. And in those moments of silence, I would feel His peace surround me, reminding me that He was in control, that He had a plan, and that He loved me deeply.
Finding Peace Through Jesus: The Hope of Eternal Comfort
Ultimately, the greatest source of peace we can find in grief is the hope of eternal life with Jesus. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 that our present troubles are temporary, but the glory that awaits us is eternal. As we trust God’s plan for our lives and find comfort in Him, we can look forward to the day when all tears will be wiped away, and we will experience the fullness of joy in His presence forever.
If you’re struggling with grief, I encourage you to find peace through Jesus. Trust His plan, lean on His comfort, and know that He is with you every step of the way. For more support on this journey, I invite you to visit my website, Sheran Summers Books, where I share my personal journey of faith, comfort, and healing. You can also find my book, The Call to Heaven: Preparing for Eternity Before You Go, available on Amazon.
For more support and encouragement, join me on Facebook: Sheran Summers Official Facebook.
Leave feedback about this