The loss of a child is a tragedy that seeks for comfort. To help in you if, or when, you are in this time of need, here is a list of Bible verses to comfort a grieving mother. To endure a death of any loved one is an extremely painful and heart-wrenching process. To endure the death of a child is one of life’s most intense challenges. The empty arms, and the dashing of future hopes and dreams may seem to be overwhelming.
If this is you, whether you have lost a child due to your baby being stillborn, a miscarriage, an abortion, an illness, or another form of tragedy, the God of all comfort has something to say to you during this extremely difficult time. You are not alone. Throughout the centuries, bereaved parents have endured such grief as you may now be experiencing. This collection of Bible verses gives real hope from the God of life for you to cling to while you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
Take these verses for yourself. Claim the promises you will find here. Pray these verses back to God. Hold these verses close to your heart. Allow them to be good news during this darkest valley. These are the very words of God to you. Let them cleanse and comfort you in your time of grief.
The purpose of these comforting verses from God’s Word is summed up here:
2 Corinthians 1:2-4
“Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (KJV)
And another good Bible verse to help you in your grieving process:
2 Thessalonians 3:5
“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” (KJV)
Bible Verses to Comfort a Grieving Mother — King David’s Son
The most comforting and assuring verses concerning the death of a child and what happens to that lost child is found in the words of King David who lost an infant son. David committed adultery and then had his lover’s husband killed. She gave birth to the king’s son, but David’s actions displeased God. Read the whole story in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12.
Here is the summary of the verses that about the death of his infant son:
2 Samuel 12:15
“And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died.
And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (KJV)
David’s grief at losing his son is so poignant here. But his faith is also strong, and his words of assurance echo throughout the three millennia since giving hope to bereaved parents. After David’s child passed away, David resigned himself to never seeing his son in this life. But he also knew that when his life was over and he would “sleep with thy fathers” (2 Samuel 7:13), then he would finally be reunited with his son. No doubt, he communicated the comfort he had with his wife to help her in the midst of her grief also.
David’s faith and his recorded words give comfort and assurance to all those who have lost a child. There is nothing to indicate in these verses that his child was baptized, or any other special action done to the baby. It was born, it got sick, and God took him to Himself. This is what happens to all those innocent children who at a very young age pass from this physical life. They are welcomed into the very presence of God forever and ever.
Bible Verses to Comfort a Grieving Mother — Psalms
The Book of Psalms is a deep book, which conveys so many emotions that are part of the human experience. The vast majority of Psalms were written by King David who understood the pain of bereaved parents. Here are some comforting verses from that book presented in the order they appear in the Bible.
Psalm 6:2
“Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.” (KJV)
Great grief and intense sorrow make a person physically weak, even to the point of affecting their bones. The psalmist pleads with God, asking Him for both His mercy and physical healing.
Psalm 16:11
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (KJV)
Knowing that your baby is safe in the very presence of God, enjoying the pleasures found at His righteous right hand is so comforting. Now, even in your grief, you can ask God, like the psalmist did, in your time of grief to show you the path of life.
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (KJV)
To know that God Himself is walking with you, armed with His rod and His staff to ward off any enemies, is a great comfort. You, with God’s help, will eventually get beyond this valley of deepest grief and emerge into the sunshine that He casts over the shadow of death.
Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (KJV)
The wonderful words of Psalm 23 end with this encouraging promise of God’s continuing goodness and His mercy, despite your present trials. Then this verse looks forward to eternity, living with the Savior Who has given you so much. You can be assured that your departed child is now dwelling in the house of the LORD.
Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (KJV)
In your time of need, know that God Himself is close to you. You may not understand why God allowed such a thing to happen to you, and you may even be angry with God for allowing your great loss. But instead of becoming bitter at God, allow Him and His unfailing love to comfort you.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (KJV)
When you feel you need a refuge in your time of trouble, make the decision to make God your place of safety. Borrow His strength to be your strength and ask for His help in your time of need.
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (KJV)
The heart and the body of your beloved child failed, but God took the soul of your child to Himself. Now, while you are still here on Earth, allow God to be your strength while you are separated from your child.
Bible Verses to Comfort a Grieving Mother — The Example of Jesus
When Jesus was on Earth, it seemed that He had a very special place in His heart for little children. With so many things, even in His attitude toward children, He took the opportunity to teach about heavenly truths to adults as well. Jesus Himself, God in the flesh, welcomed children to Himself while He was on Earth because He loved them and also because the simple, childlike, trusting faith, even from adults, is all that is needed to accept God’s great salvation.
Matthew 19:13-14
“Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (KJV)
In these verses the beautiful words concerning little children, “of such is the kingdom of heaven,” has a double meaning. This means that both small children, and adults with the simple faith of a child, are welcomed into heaven.
Mark 10:13-16
“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” (KJV)
The Gospel of Mark has the same account. The word “suffer” used here in the King James Version of the Bible means “allow,” that is, not to hinder. Just as when Jesus was living on Earth he held and blessed little children, so He does today to all those children who depart from this life.
Luke 18:15-17
“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” (KJV)
This account is repeated again in the Gospel of Luke. Perhaps God had this repeated three times for us to understand more fully both the welcoming of children and the emphasis of simple, childlike faith for parents to accept God’s great gift of salvation so that they can be reunited with their beloved children forever as well.
Bible Verses to Comfort a Grieving Mother — Jesus’ Mother
Mary, the mother of Jesus, herself was a bereaved mother. Jesus was an adult when He died, but even so, He was Mary’s first child, and she endured grief and pain at His crucifixion. She was foretold this soon after His birth by Simeon.
Luke 2:34-35
And Simeon blessed them Mary and Joseph], and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (KJV)
The ominous words of Simeon must have echoed in Mary’s mind for many years. She may have remembered them when she was at the crucifixion of her Son and while she endured her own pain.
John 19:25
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.” (KJV)
The crucifixion of Jesus must have been the single most devasting event in this particular mother’s life. Yet, she knew her special Child was born for such a purpose. One wonders what went through the mind of Jesus’ mother in the midst of her grief during the three days and three nights when He was in the grave.
Mark 16:9-10
“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.” (KJV)
The memory of the sufferings of Christ turned to great joy at the news of His resurrection. Because of God’s love in sending His Son to both die and also to rise again, we have the promise of eternal life and the promised of eternal glory from our heavenly Father.
Jesus had before His death foretold the resurrection of all those who would believe on Him in these comforting Bible verses:
John 6:39&40
“And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (KJV)
Bible Verses to Comfort a Grieving Mother — New Testament
The fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the basis of our Christian faith. It is because of His resurrection that we have certain hope — a very good thing in times of trouble.
1 Corinthians chapter 15 is a chapter full of hope, which tells about the believer’s future bodily resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:52
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (KJV)
This verse relates to Jesus coming for all those who have accept Him as their personal Savior from hell. Those who are dead and buried (or in the sea, or in a box that contains their cremains — wherever), will be resurrected and given a new glorified body that can never wear out or grow old.
1 Corinthians 15:55
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (KJV)
Because of Christ’s resurrection, the grief of loss because of death is only temporary and is only for those who are still in this world.
2 Corinthians 5:8
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (KJV)
When a Christian passes from this life, or an innocent child dies, they are “absent from the body,” but their soul, the real “them,” is present with God.
1 Thessalonians 4:15
“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” (KJV)
The phrase “the coming of the Lord” is a reference to what Bible scholars have termed as “the Rapture.” When Jesus Christ returns to take His people to heaven, those who will get to go first will be those who have waited the longest, those who have died. Although their souls have already been with the Lord, now their bodies will be raised from decay and changed into glorified, incorruptible ones. Then, after this event, those who are still alive will be taken to be with the Lord and experience the same change.
Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (KJV)
The God of unfailing love offers peace. You may not understand why God allowed you to experience this great day of trouble, but in the midst of your times of grief, seek for, and hold on to, the peace that only a living, loving God can provide.
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (KJV)
When God’s peace is present, and it, rather than fear, is the ruler in a grieving heart, this is something to be thankful for. Thank God for His provision of peace and the promise of a future resurrection.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (KJV)
This verse gives the definition of faith. Faith sees things that are presently hidden. Heaven, the future resurrection, the rapture, God Himself, and many other things mentioned in the Bible all require faith that God is both real, and that He will do exactly what He has said He will do. Our faith in God and His Word gives Him great pleasure.
1 Peter 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (KJV)
The Apostle Peter begins his letter praising God for the living hope, for both himself and for all other Christians, because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 21:4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (KJV)
The final book of the Bible contains these words of comfort, and the word of God ends on an encouraging note.
May these comforting verses help a grieving mother through her difficult journey.
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