Verses to comfort my friend?

Question

My friend's dad just died. It was sudden (of a heartattack) and I was looking for a verse to give her. Just to remind her that God has a perfect plan. Any suggestions... especially if you've held onto a verse through something hard. Thanks

Some of y'all aren't answering the question at all... clearly if she wasn't religious I wouldn't be looking for a verse. Please answer the question, and don't give your opinion on christianity. thanks

Answer 1

If she's a believer in life after death, you could offer...

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again." ~ Psalm 71: 20-21

or

"While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil." ~ John Taylor

But also remember the wise advice of Samuel Johnson:

"While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till it be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it."

Answer 2

Gospel According to Saint Luke
Chapter 8

5 The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

6 And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. 8 And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. 10 To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand.


11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. 13 Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. 15 But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.

Answer 3

Perhaps some words of Richard Dawkins, Isaac Asimov, or Robert Heinlein. I think it would be awful to tell her that some invisible guy in the sky suddenly killed her dad because it fit some grand plan of his. What kind of asshole god would just kill people? I don't think that's comforting at all.

Wouldn't it be more comforting for her to know that you, too, feel this is a tragedy? Life is short, all life, including yours and mine. Instead of being upset about that, try being thankful for being part of hte person's life while he was here.

Your friend's dad only lives on in the memories of others. Remind her to keep the good ones.

Answer 4

Remembering You

Your time on earth seemed all too brief
because I wanted you in my life forever.
And although I really miss you,
in my heart I know that you are at peace.
Still, countless times throughout the day
I find myself remembering you.
Although I cannot see or hear you,
I know that you are with me.
I'll feel you in the warmth of the summer sun.
I'll see you in the brilliance of autumn leaves.
You'll be beside me in the peacefulness of a gentle snowfall
and rejoice with me at the emergence
of the first flowers of spring.
I'm thankful for the times we shared
and the priceless memories too;
for those memories are a comfort now when I lovingly -
Remember You.

Answer 5

I've been through some difficult times myself and have always found refuge in the Word of God. Here are some verses that I hope will be a comfort to your friend. I will be praying for her, and for God to give you wisdom as you stand at her side and help her through.

Psalm 68:5 - A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Isaiah 41:13 - For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not: I will help thee.

Psalm 34:17, 18 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Answer 6

There are some verses by Christina Rosetti which have been a comfort to me...they begin with 'Remember me when I am gone..yet if you should forget me for a while ..do not grieve' etc. and there is lots more; should be available on internet to download sorry can't find own copy for now. Thinking of your friend and you....

Answer 7

I like John 18:9, where Jesus Christ is trying to emphasize what His mission in life is (the Atonement): "That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none." In the face of the ultimate loss of a loved one, we all need reassurance that it is a temporary loss, that we will see our loved ones again, that the Atonement of Jesus Christ crosses the bridge between the present and the future, and the Resurrection is not as far away as it used to be. God bless.

Answer 8

Since I am in my 80's, I have seen many loved ones die and have written their families. I find the following to be of comfort, taken from God's Holy bible:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 vs. "For I would not have you to be ingnorant,brethren,concerning them which are asleep,that ye sorrow not,even as others which have no hope.
for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him"


"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" Matthew 5:4 (this relates to those who are saved by God's grace and He does comfort us in a way no one can). We have peace that goes beyond human understanding, I know.

Revelation 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more d eath,neither sorro,nor crying,neither shall there be any more pain: fior the former things are passed away." This is a promise to all who have passed away with Jesus as their personal saviour.

If you look at sympathy cards, many have a scripture verse somewhere in them that will bless and help the sorrowing.

Finanly, this one is used at about every funeral I ever attendedd as a source of comfort to the grieving:Founbd in the New TEstament, the 4th book called the 4 gospels:

Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God,believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a palce for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, ye may be also." John 14 ch. vs. 1 thru 4.
A personal note: as His born again chikld by His grace and atoning death on calvary for my sins, I look foreward to going and being with Him but to each of us,we are told in the book of Ecclesastis, there is a time to live and a time to die and our time is in His hands.

Not much can reach the newly grief stricken, not even a reminder of all their great memories-the loss is too currently painful though it tapers off with time but they don't need that assurance. Just let them know you love them,pray for them and care for them and offer any help,i.e. take phone calls or greet callers at the house, run errands, etc. God bless you for being so caring

Answer 9

For God so loved the World that He sent His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life (John 3:16).

This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your Word has revived me and given me life (Psalms 119:15).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion & mercy and the God of every comfort & encouragement who comforts me in every trouble that I may also be able to comfort those in any kind of trouble or distress with the comfort I am comforted with by God (2 Cor 1:3-4).

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well founded hope through His Grace, comforts and encourages my heart and strengthens me in every good work and word (2 Thes. 2:16-17).

I am overcome with Joy because of God's unfailing love, for He has seen my troubles, and He cares about the anguish of my soul (Pslams 31:7).

Answer 10

I really suggest Psalm 23. That has helped me through me tough times than you can imagine. God bless you!