October 16, 2025
As we look around our community here at Corinth, we are seeing our families experience a lot of loss. Jared and I thought it might be good to offer a few thoughts on grief. We hope these words will be encouraging to you as you journey through grief or as a reminder to come back to when (not if) you find yourself in a journey of grief. Recently, I (Jason) lost my dad to pancreatic cancer. This is a new journey for me and my family, but as pastors, Jared and I are familiar with it because we have walked with many of you. And as many of you know, grief can be a funny thing. It seems to hit you in waves and is mostly unexpected. Grief will show up and can catch you off guard. So what are we to do with the grief? See our thoughts below.
“And when I turned to face grief, I saw that it was just love in a heavy coat.” – Shannon Barry.
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)
Lisa, my wife, sent me this quote: “Grief is just love in a heavy coat.” It stopped me for a moment. Because that’s precisely what grief feels like, isn’t it? It’s love that hasn’t disappeared, but love that’s gotten heavy. The same love that once brought warmth and laughter now weighs on us because the person we love is no longer here.
The Bible never tells us not to grieve. In fact, Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians are incredibly compassionate. He doesn’t say, “Don’t grieve.” He says, “Don’t grieve as those who have no hope.” That means it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to ache, it’s okay to feel lost. We just don’t face that pain without the steady hand of hope holding ours.
When someone we love dies, our world changes. There are empty chairs at the table, quiet places in our routines, and memories that show up when we least expect them. It’s hard. But even in the middle of that ache, we hold on to the truth that death doesn’t get the last word. Because Jesus rose, we know that those who belong to Him will rise too.
That “heavy coat” of grief doesn’t mean something is wrong with our faith—it means we’ve loved deeply. And the more profound the love, the heavier the coat. But here’s the good news: we don’t carry it alone. Christ walks beside us, and in time, that heavy coat begins to feel a little lighter. The same love that once brought tears will one day bring joy again.
We’ve seen that happen so many times—in hospital rooms, at funerals, and in quiet conversations with people who’ve lost someone dear. At first, grief feels unbearable. But slowly, by God’s grace, something changes. The sharp pain softens into gratitude. The memories that once broke your heart start to heal it. And you begin to see that your love never truly left—it’s just waiting for the day when you’ll see your loved one again in Christ’s presence.
So if you’re walking through grief right now, take comfort in this: it’s okay to feel the weight. It’s okay to let the tears fall. Just remember, you’re not alone in it. Jesus carries the heaviness with you. And one day, when He makes all things new, that heavy coat of love will be lifted for good—and only joy will remain.
Peace,
Jared and Jason