When Tears Preach: 50 Bulletpoint Bible Statements About Grief

Grief hits hard and lingers long. It doesn’t follow a schedule, and it sure doesn’t ask permission. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a broken dream, or the weight of watching the world unravel, grief touches every believer sooner or later. But here’s the good news: the Bible doesn’t avoid grief—it meets it head-on. From Genesis to Revelation, God speaks into our sorrow, and not with clichés or empty promises.

Below I have 50 quick bulletpoints with Bible verses for a quick look at what the Bible says about grief.

God Is Close to the Brokenhearted

• God is near to those who are of a broken heart and saves those with a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
• The Lord heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)
• God records every tear and keeps count of them in His bottle. (Psalm 56:8)
• Even when we feel forgotten, God never forgets the sorrow of His children. (Isaiah 49:15)
• The Lord comforts all who mourn with beauty for ashes and joy for mourning. (Isaiah 61:2–3)

Jesus Understands Our Grief

• Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:3)
• Christ bore our griefs and carried our sorrows at the cross. (Isaiah 53:4)
• Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, showing His empathy in our pain. (John 11:35)
• Jesus’ soul was sorrowful unto death in Gethsemane, proving He shares our anguish. (Matthew 26:38)
• The Messiah’s suffering fulfilled prophecy and now gives us comfort. (Matthew 8:17)

Grief Has a Purpose

• Godly sorrow works repentance leading to salvation. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
• Our present grief produces in us a far more eternal weight of glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
• Affliction teaches us to rely on God, not ourselves. (2 Corinthians 1:9)
• Tribulation builds patience, experience, and hope. (Romans 5:3–4)
• Chastening may be grievous now, but it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11)

God Will One Day End All Grief

• God will wipe away all tears and remove sorrow and pain forever. (Revelation 21:4)
• Death will be swallowed up in victory at Christ’s return. (Isaiah 25:8)
• Joy will come in the morning after a night of weeping. (Psalm 30:5)
• Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. (Psalm 126:5)
• Grief will turn into joy just as labor pains turn into birth. (John 16:20–21)

The Holy Spirit Brings Comfort

• The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, dwelling with us and in us. (John 14:16–17)
• He helps our infirmities and intercedes when we can’t find the words. (Romans 8:26)
• God comforts us so we can comfort others in any trouble. (2 Corinthians 1:4)
• Jesus promised we are blessed when we mourn, for we shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
• God’s consolations delight the soul in the multitude of anxious thoughts. (Psalm 94:19)

We Are Not Alone in Grief

• The church is called to weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)
• If one member suffers, all suffer together. (1 Corinthians 12:26)
• Job’s friends initially mourned with him in silence for seven days. (Job 2:13)
• Mary wept at the tomb, and Jesus called her by name in tender response. (John 20:15–16)
• David comforted Bathsheba after loss, and God gave them Solomon. (2 Samuel 12:24)

Biblical Figures Overcame Grief

• Job’s grief led to a deeper understanding of God and greater restoration. (Job 42:10)
• Hannah poured out her soul in grief, and God answered with a child. (1 Samuel 1:15–20)
• Naomi went from bitterness to joy through God’s providence. (Ruth 4:14–17)
• David cried out in sorrow, yet always returned to praise. (Psalm 6:6–9)
• Jeremiah wept over Jerusalem, yet hoped in God’s mercy. (Lamentations 3:22–23)

Hope Sustains the Grieving

• We do not grieve as those without hope because Jesus rose again. (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14)
• The Lord gives songs in the night to those who suffer. (Job 35:10)
• The righteous cry, and the Lord delivers them out of all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
• Even in the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is with us. (Psalm 23:4)
• Grief will one day be forgotten in the joy of reunion. (Isaiah 35:10)

Grief Refines Our Faith

• Trials test the genuineness of our faith, more precious than gold. (1 Peter 1:6–7)
• Affliction causes us to seek God and learn His statutes. (Psalm 119:71)
• Grief creates brokenness, and God draws near to the contrite heart. (Psalm 51:17)
• Out of the depths of sorrow, the psalmist cried and was heard. (Psalm 130:1–2)
• Paul experienced grief yet was strengthened by the Lord’s presence. (2 Timothy 4:17)

Grief Draws Us Into God’s Presence

• Jesus draws near when our hearts are burning with sorrow and questions. (Luke 24:15–32)
• God remembers us in our affliction and shows mercy, just as He did for Joseph. (Genesis 41:51–52)
• The Spirit of the Lord brings liberty even to those crushed in spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
• Grief humbles us so that God may lift us up in due time. (James 4:9–10)
• Christ suffered so He could become a merciful and faithful High Priest. (Hebrews 2:17–18)