How to Deal with Loss

In my trouble I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.
–Psalm 120:1

After spending countless hours with people who have lost loved ones, as well as experiencing loss in my own life, I’ve developed a few principles from God’s Word for dealing with loss. These suggestions may help you if you’re grieving now or in the future.

First of all, express your emotions. Don’t play the stoic. It’s natural and healthy to express how you feel. Psalm 120:1 declares, “In my trouble I cried to the Lord, and He answered me.” Cry out to the Lord, and He will answer you–not always immediately, but ultimately.

Don’t worry that you’re going to hurt God if you express your true feelings to Him. After Lazarus’s death in John 11, his sister Martha gave Jesus a piece of her mind. She said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (v. 21). She was angry at Jesus. God is big enough to handle your anger as well. Tell Him how you feel, and remember that He understands.

Second, go back to the basics. Remember the simple truths and practices of your faith:

• Prayer. If you don’t know what to pray, read the Psalms to God as your prayers. For example, you may find your feelings expressed in Psalms 6, 13, 42, and 77.
• Praise. Psalm 13:1 says, “How long will You hide Your face from me?” But in verse 5, the psalmist began praising God. Think of some things you can praise God for in the midst of your grief.
• Promises. Claim the promises of God, such as Jesus’ words in John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”

Third, get others involved. The only person who thinks you need to isolate yourself or take time off from church when you’re grieving is Satan. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.” The body of Christ can help you through your grief. Besides the encouragement that comes from worshiping with other believers, many churches offer counseling, support groups, or other resources for the grieving process. Don’t try to walk through the tunnel of grief by yourself. Ask for help–that’s one benefit of being part of the body of Christ.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “Moving from Grief to Acceptance,” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2021.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.