5 Books on Grief Everyone Should Read

After the tragic death of our son Eddie in 2013, I began a journey of grief that no one ever expects. Death is difficult to deal with. The emotions you face are overwhelming, unexpected, and downright cruel at times. If you have to add to that any family drama, betrayal, and outright sin, well, the pain is only magnified because you’re already in a weakened position. We know that here, unfortunately, on a very personal level.

If that’s you, I’m sorry you’re experiencing the pain you’re in.  God remains faithful even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Whether you’re a reader or not, getting through grief will require:

1. Humility.
2. Endurance.
3. Patience.
4. Honesty.
5. Learning.

The good news is that all of these are ours by faith in Jesus Christ.

I recommend these books as a starting point on your grief journey.

1. THROUGH A SEASON OF GRIEF. Through this daily devotional, the good folks at griefshare.org help you to process the various feelings, emotions, and new reality that grief has created in your life.

2. BESIDE STILL WATERS by Charles Spurgeon. I found this gem on my computer. I would have never found it had grief not entered into my life. This is a daily devotion filled with great, sound, and strong biblical insights on the various aspects of pain, suffering, and grief. While you may not always agree with what Pastor Charles has to say, you and I need to hear it.

3. SUFFERING IS NEVER FOR NOTHING by Elisabeth Elliot. Having endured excruciating pain and loss in her own life, Elisabeth takes us through the Word of God to help us gain a perspective on our pain that is rooted in God’s Sovereign purposes for our lives. I read this book a couple of times a year, even now, many years later.

4. HEAVEN by Randy Alcorn. Randy takes us on a journey learning about the glorious truths surrounding heaven. He helps to remind us of the eternal perspective. It’s so helpful for us to have heavenly minds when our pain is so deeply rooted in the earth!

5. DEPRESSION Looking Up From a Stubborn Darkness by Edward Welch. Whether we admit it or not, grief often triggers depression, sometimes very, very deep. It’s essential that you recognize this and take the necessary steps, one by one, to look up and get up. Edward helps us look at grief and depression from a solidly biblical worldview. This is another book I read a couple of times a year.

BONUS

6. DEPRESSION: The Sun Always Rises by Margaret Ashmore. Margaret studied under and was good friends with Elisabeth Elliot. This small pamphlet is a powerful tool to begin using when depression, sorrow, and sadness start to make their home in your life. She shares a strong biblical perspective, sharing some of her own personal struggles with us, but more importantly, her victory in Jesus.

If you need prayer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to encourage you in Jesus!