7 Verses For Grief & Tragedy

What do you do when the world moves on?

When faced with a tragedy in life, the immediate aftermath is usually marked by deliveries of hot meals, consistent visits, calls from loved ones, and a flood of support at every turn.

But what happens when that support slowly slips away, when even those closest to us begin to shift their focuses elsewhere, yet you’re still left to live every day with unspeakable hurt?

Look up.

Look up to God; turn your eyes to Him. His presence, love, and protection for you is as real and present as it was on the day tragedy struck. He never forgets. He doesn’t even take His eyes off of you or cringe at your mess. Instead, He sees your hurt, every ounce of it, and He longs to join you in your pain and comfort you.

Think of someone you love so incredibly much. Maybe it’s your child, your spouse, or a dear friend; when you know they’re hurting, doesn’t their pain break your heart too? This is how God feels for us, but on a much bigger scale. His love for us is so intense, and His heart breaks to see us in pain.

You may be mad at Him for what happened. You might have questions. Or you might just be totally and completely numb. Whatever it is, bring it to Him. He can handle it.

Overall, the truth of the matter is that even when the world seems to move on, God never does.

If you feel forgotten or abandoned in your hurt today, this is your reminder that you are anything but forgotten. In fact, the Creator of the universe knows your name and calls you His own. Below are some verses for you to read and carry in your heart whenever you feel alone:

Isaiah 49:15-16 “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Joshua 1:9 “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 27:10 “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.”

Hebrews 13:5-6 “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’”

Psalm 9:10-11 “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.”

Romans 8:35-39
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’)
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”