An excerpt from my upcoming book:
When Love Has Nowhere to Go
How God Meets Us in the Ache of Grief
When someone we love dies, especially a spouse of many years, their absence can feel overwhelming. The house becomes too quiet, the bed too big and too cold. There’s emptiness, a deep sense of being alone, that lingers even when others are nearby. It’s not just the loss of the person but the loss of the shared routines and the small, everyday moment that made up life together. There’s no special green tea in the morning, no hand to hold on the evening walk, no one to laugh with.
Though grief and loneliness are real, so are the words found in Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Jesus is present with us in every moment of our sorrow—like those tender seconds before unlocking the door when the loss feels fresh all over again.
In my journey through grief, I have learned that while His presence may not always remove the pain, He gently holds me through it. The God who sees all hears every unspoken prayer, knows every silent ache, and as Psalm 56:8 so poetically says—He holds my tears in a bottle.
Grief is, in many ways, love that has nowhere to go. At times, it can leave me feeling anxious, fragile, and forgotten. But the Lord whispers His promise in Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.”
There are days I wonder, how long will this last? When will the smallest things stop stirring the deepest of painful emotions? In moments like these, it is His promises that steady my heart. Jesus has assured me of life after death and a resurrection that offers hope and joy.
In the meantime, He reminds me that until that glorious day, as I continue to trust Him, I am never alone. His grace sustains me with strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow.
If you are walking this road of grief today, take heart. You do not walk it alone. The Lord of all comfort walks beside you, step by tender step. Trust Him with your broken heart, and His love will be the firm ground beneath your feet when everything else feels uncertain.
