Ecclesiastes 7:2

Don’t tell them it’s wrong to grieve.

• Luke 7:12-15

• John 11:33-36 – Jesus joined in the grief!

Love them while they grieve their way.

• Colossians 3:12

• Denial

  • Psalms 55:4-7 – David wanted to get away!

• Anger

  • Job 7:11-16

  • Anger is not a sin, but it can lead to sin. We must be careful.

  • John 11:21-22

• Bargaining

  • II Samuel 18:33; 12:15-23

• Depression

  • Psalms 69:1-3, 8, 10-11, 20

• Acceptance

  • It’s not that the loss is forgotten – it’s that the grieving person once again is able to function.

Focus on the one who is grieving.

• Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3-4

• Ecclesiastes 3:4-8 – There is a time for everything.

• Take your cue from those who are grieving.

Don’t rush it.

• Genesis 37:33-35; 50:3, 10-11 – They grieved for extended periods.

• Proverbs 25:11 – Speak in right circumstances.

• I Thessalonians 4:13, 18

Just be there.

• John 11:31

• Job 2:11-13 – Job’s friends initially just sat with him in his grief.