Grieving with Hope

Heather Bradley
6 days ago
3 min read

Jesus is with us in the middle of our heartache

Grief has a way of knocking the wind out of us and doesn’t call ahead or ask for permission. It just shows up—loud, quiet, aching, numbing… sometimes all at once.

If you’re walking through grief right now, I just want to say: I see you. And more importantly—Jesus sees you.

This last week at work we witness a horrific traffic accident in front of our school. It stole someones life and hurt others. I have felt the aftermath from seeing this all week. My heart goes out to those involved. My sister and I were talking too about how many people we know who have passed in the last few years. It's mind boggling and really causes one to think about how short life can be. One thing I do know is that Jesus is with us through it all.

He’s not distant from your pain. He’s not waiting for you to "get over it" or "move on."He’s in it with you—right there in the middle of the tears, the questions, and the shattered pieces.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18

I’ve felt that closeness. Not because my heart didn’t break, but because it did—and He held it in His hands.

Grief is real, but so is our hope.

As followers of Jesus, we don’t grieve like those who have no hope. That doesn’t mean we don’t cry or hurt or miss the ones we’ve lost. It means we cling to the promise that death isn’t the end of the story.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”—1 Thessalonians 4:13

Because of Jesus—His death and resurrection—we have a living hope. (1 Peter 1:3)A hope that says this world is not our home. A hope that whispers, “This isn’t the end.” A hope that promises reunion, redemption, and restoration.

I know the days can feel long and the nights even longer. But I also know this: Jesus doesn’t waste our grief. He enters it, sits with us in it, and gently leads us through it.

You might not feel strong today, and that’s okay .Lean into the One who is.

Let His peace hold you. Let His promises anchor you. And when you feel like you're falling apart—remember, He's holding all the pieces.

Reflection + Prayer:

Take a moment and be honest with God about where your heart is today. You don’t have to have fancy words—just real ones. Let Him meet you there.

Prayer: Jesus, You know the ache in my heart. You know every tear I’ve cried and every moment I’ve felt alone. Thank You for being near to me, for giving me hope even when I can’t see it. Help me trust that you’re working even in my sorrow. Hold me close, and carry me through this season. In You, I find my peace. In You, I find my hope. Amen.

Scriptures to Hold Onto This Week: