Jesus Restores our Grief: Will You Let Him Carry You?
- Good Mourning with Marilyn
- Sep 14, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 29
Jesus. His name is above every other name, and He alone has the power to heal.
Henri Nouwen describes Jesus as the One who searches for the lost: the woman searching for her coin, the father waiting for his child, and the Good Shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to find the one.
Today, let’s consider what it means to trust Jesus enough to let Him find us, lead us, and carry us through grief.
Our sacred place begins at His feet.
Psalm 23: A Picture of Restoration
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” — Psalm 23:1–3
1. Jesus Reestablishes Order
Grief can make life feel disordered and unfamiliar. Jesus leads us back toward rest, peace, and restoration. Like a shepherd guiding his sheep to green pastures and quiet waters, He knows what our souls need.
Let’s claim this promise together:
Lord, I trust You. Lead me, give me rest, and refresh my soul.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” — Psalm 23:4
2. Jesus Resets Our Expectations
Psalm 23 does not promise that we will avoid the valley. It promises that we will not walk through it alone.
We do not have to know what tomorrow holds to trust the One who will be there with us.
Let’s claim this promise together:
Lord, help me trust Your presence when I cannot see what lies ahead. Comfort me and help my unbelief.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” — Psalm 23:5
3. Jesus Helps Us Remember
Even in hardship, God is still providing.
His care may appear through a friend, a meal, a flower, a sunrise, an encouraging word, or an unexpected moment of peace. Grief can make these gifts difficult to see, so we ask Him to open our eyes to them.
Let’s claim this promise together:
Lord, reveal the ways You are caring for me today and help me recognize Your provision.
“Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” — Psalm 23:6
4. Jesus Renews Us
Grief can make it difficult to imagine goodness ahead, but God says His goodness and love will continue to follow us. There is still purpose in the days He has given us.
Let’s claim this promise together:
Lord, help me believe that You still have purpose for me. Help me hear Your voice and follow where You lead.
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — Psalm 23:6
5. Jesus Restores Us
The final promise of Psalm 23 reaches beyond this life.
Jesus has conquered death. Because of Him, grief does not have the final word.
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” — Psalm 126:5
We may sow in tears today, but Scripture points us toward restoration, joy, and life with Him forever.
Let’s claim this promise together:
Lord, You hold all of time in Your hands. Help me rest in the hope that death is not the end and that You are with me now and forever.
The Good Shepherd
From the beginning, God has called out to those He loves.
“Where are you?” — Genesis 3:9
And Jesus tells us that the Shepherd still calls His sheep personally:
“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” — John 10:3
He knows our names. He knows where grief has taken us. And He comes looking for us.
“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” — Ezekiel 34:11
Sometimes we need Him to lead us.
Sometimes we need Him to lift us from the pit.
“If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit … will you not take hold of it and lift it out?” — Matthew 12:11
And sometimes we simply need to be carried.
“He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.” — Isaiah 40:11
That is the invitation in grief:
To stop believing we must carry ourselves.
To trust the Shepherd who knows our name, knows the way, and is strong enough to carry us when we cannot walk on our own.
Jesus, my Good Shepherd, carry me close to Your heart.
