Topical Bible: Children: Grief Occasioned by Loss of

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The experience of grief in children, particularly due to the loss of a loved one, is a profound and deeply impactful event. The Bible, while not extensively detailing the specific emotional responses of children, provides narratives and principles that can be applied to understand and address such grief.

Biblical Narratives and Examples

1. David and Bathsheba's Child: One of the most poignant accounts of loss involving a child is found in 2 Samuel 12:15-23. After David's sin with Bathsheba, their child becomes ill and eventually dies. David's response to the child's death is one of deep mourning, fasting, and prayer, illustrating the profound grief that accompanies the loss of a child. This narrative highlights the reality of loss and the human response to it, which can be mirrored in the grief experienced by children.

2. Jairus' Daughter: In Mark 5:21-43, we read about Jairus, a synagogue leader, whose daughter was gravely ill. When she died, Jesus comforted the family and raised her from the dead. This account not only demonstrates Jesus' compassion and power over death but also reflects the deep sorrow and subsequent joy experienced by a family in the face of loss and restoration.

3. The Widow of Nain: In Luke 7:11-17, Jesus encounters a funeral procession for the only son of a widow. Moved by compassion, He raises the young man from the dead, turning the mother's grief into joy. This account underscores the deep empathy of Christ for those who mourn and His ability to bring hope in the midst of despair.

Biblical Principles for Comfort and Hope

1. God's Presence in Grief: The Bible assures believers of God's presence in times of sorrow. Psalm 34:18 states, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." This promise can be a source of comfort for grieving children, reminding them that they are not alone in their pain.

2. The Hope of Resurrection: The Christian hope of resurrection offers comfort in the face of death. In John 11:25-26 , Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." This assurance can provide solace to children, offering a perspective of eternal life beyond the present loss.

3. The Role of Community: The early church exemplified the importance of community support in times of grief. Romans 12:15 encourages believers to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." The presence and support of a faith community can be instrumental in helping children process their grief and find healing.

4. Prayer and Lament: The Psalms offer numerous examples of lament, providing a model for expressing grief and seeking God's comfort. Psalm 42:11 reflects this sentiment: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Encouraging children to express their emotions through prayer can be a therapeutic way to process their loss.

Practical Considerations

When addressing grief in children, it is important to consider their developmental stage and individual personality. Children may express grief differently than adults, often through behavior rather than words. Providing a safe space for them to express their feelings, offering consistent support, and gently guiding them with biblical truths can help them navigate their grief journey. Engaging in age-appropriate discussions about death and the hope found in Christ can also be beneficial in helping children understand and cope with their loss.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 37:35
And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave to my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
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Genesis 44:27-29
And your servant my father said to us, You know that my wife bore me two sons:
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2 Samuel 13:37
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
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Jeremiah 6:26
O daughter of my people, gird you with sackcloth, and wallow yourself in ashes: make you mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come on us.
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Jeremiah 31:15
Thus said the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
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Library

Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ...
... all, that we should not insult over those who have occasioned us grief. ... Often has
a wife, often have children, often have friends, often have neighbours ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xv again on the.htm

The Exhortation of the Last HomilyIs Continued in This. ...
... wool, from whence it originates; so grief and death ... with one another; fathers with
children; and masters ... private pastoral duties, which were occasioned by the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily v the exhortation of.htm

Compassion for Souls
... by my mother's example," what a grief will this ... but the mischief wrought in your
children's characters is ... our friends or relations is partly occasioned by our ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/compassion for souls.htm

Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.
... which was placed in his Christian zeal, occasioned his election ... as the thought sympathy
for the grief of his ... Be not troubled at this, my children, but rather ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/eligius bishop of noyon.htm

Of the Navigation of King Agrippa to Rome, to Tiberius Caesar; and ...
... him a manifest signal which of those children should come ... his power to have died
without grief by this ... in that pleasure which this news occasioned, because it ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 of the navigation.htm

Saint Helena and the Time of Constantine
... To assuage her grief, the emperor presented her with ... Constantine nobly cared for
the children of the ... was during the magnificent festivities occasioned by her ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iv saint helena and the.htm

Jesus --"All Blessing and all Blest"
... Ah! those poor children of the back streets"children who are ... Nothing will cheer this
child of grief: he is ... by which the major part of poverty is occasioned. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/jesusall blessing and all blest.htm

A Homily for Humble Folks
... brutish than any man." Wisdom is justified of her children. ... In many it is occasioned
by a natural crabbedness of ... for before long." If you covet grief, and even ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/a homily for humble folks.htm

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
... God will not bless his children while they refuse to ... the city whose death would have
occasioned the shedding ... or called forth more sincere and heartfelt grief. ...
/.../letter xiii christian activity.htm

The Census of Israel
... Another diminution of power is occasioned by the vast ... our God, whose mercy is on
children's children of them ... strong men bowed themselves with grief, and cried ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm