I wanted closure. Even before my dad died, I wanted this feeling that things were as they must be. I remember asking him during the last weeks of his life, “Are you ready to go”? I wanted him to say yes, thinking it would help me somewhat. To say yes to me, would mean this, that his death is what he wants right now. That somehow his words would bring closure. And I expected this closure to ease the pain, to lessen the weight of the grief. Yet, most often the closure we want here on earth is only seen when we look to the cross. When we look to the words spoken by our dying Savior on the cross “It is finished.” So how do we navigate Loss without having closure?
In the moments of deepest sorrow, when grief threatens to overwhelm our hearts and souls, finding comfort and peace can seem like an impossible task. Yet, amidst the darkness, there are whispers of hope, echoing a promise that transcends our pain. These whispers are found in the words uttered by Jesus on the cross: “It is finished.” These words tell us that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that this life is not all there is, that death, hell, and the grave are defeated, and that one day there will be no more death or tears. Those three words give us hope even amid loss where we don’t have closure. Further, there are 4 verses that will help you find comfort and peace when you don’t have closure after loss that resonates from Jesus’s words “It is Finished.”
4 Biblical Truths for When You Don’t Have Closure After Loss
1. Jesus’s words, “It is finished” gives us a sense of completion and purpose in God’s plan.
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30 NIV).
These simple yet profound words spoken by Jesus mark the culmination of his earthly mission. Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus accomplished the ultimate act of love and redemption for humanity.
2. God draws near to the brokenhearted.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV).
In moments of profound loss, it can feel as though we are utterly alone in our pain. Yet, this verse from Psalm 34 reassures us that God is intimately present with us, especially in our times of deepest sorrow. Amid our grief the truth of God’s Word offers comfort, strength, and the promise of eventual healing.
3. God’s love brings healing and restoration.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4 NIV).
These words spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount offer a profound paradox: there is blessing in mourning. While grief may feel like a heavy burden to bear, this verse assures us that comfort will come to those who mourn. It speaks to the transformative power of God’s love, which brings healing and restoration to wounded hearts.
4. One day, all suffering will cease, and joy will reign eternally.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4 NIV).
This verse from Revelation gives us a glimpse of the future hope that awaits believers. It paints a vivid picture of a world where sorrow and pain no longer hold sway, where every tear is wiped away by the loving hand of God. For those grappling with grief, this promise offers profound comfort and assurance.
Jesus’s words “It is finished” help to bring closure in loss when we cannot find the closure we need. Thought, the need for closure in grief is natural. Often it leads us down unexpected paths. While we may long for neat resolutions and tidy endings, the reality is that closure is fleeting in the face of profound loss. Yet, we find comfort and peace in the messy, imperfect process of grief, leaning on the truth of God’s Word and community for support.
Sitting with you,
Natasha
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“As a therapist, I have always sought a book for my clients navigating their grief journey, which would offer comfort, guidance, hope, and support in one place. This is that book. Through devastating personal losses and the growth that accompanies them, the author provides a faith-based road map complete with nurturing exercises following each chapter. They allow readers the safe spaces needed to walk with their grief, embrace it, understand it, and ultimately find the healing they desperately seek. Can You Just Sit with Me? speaks in equal parts to one’s heart, mind, spirit, and soul. I consider it a privilege to recommend this masterpiece to anyone trying to find the courage and strength to heal.”
Lisa Leshaw, mental health professional and coauthor of How Are You Feeling, Momma?
Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? here.