What Does the Bible Say About Mourning?
- Mourning is a way that people heal the pain they experience in life from loss, whether that loss came about through death or choice. Mourning is mentioned multiple times in the Bible. Sometimes mourning is referenced after a death, but often mourning is the reaction of the Israelites as they face the consequences from walking away from God. Mourning can also play a part in reconciling man with God.
- The Bible recognizes that mourning is a part of life. In Eccl. 3:4, the Bible says, "[there is] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..." This passage validates that there are times in life when we need to mourn. However, the passage implies a promise that the time for mourning will end and will be followed by a time to dance.
- Mourning can be a part of returning to God. When we have walked away from Him and are living our lives in a way that is inconsistent with the Bible, mourning can be a part of our repentance and return to a better relationship with God. In Joel 2:12, the Bible says, "'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'" Even when you believe that you have walked too far away from God to reconcile, you can return to God with mourning and a repentant heart.
- In Ps. 34:18, the Bible says that, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. In Matt. 5:4, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." The Bible also says the following in Jer. 31:13: "I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." God cares about those who mourn and provides them with comfort.
- We cannot prevent being in mourning because mourning is a part of life. When we experience a loss, we need to mourn in order to heal our broken hearts. However, God instructs His followers to comfort those who are in mourning. In Rom. 12:15, the Bible tells us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." With God and His followers providing comfort, those who mourn will one day dance again.