Your loss may be very recent or it could have happened years and years ago, but no matter when it happened, know that God holds widows close to his heart. Losing a life partner is nothing short of devastating and although it can seem confusing, difficult, and possibly even hopeless, remember that God longs to comfort you and care for you.

If you need help with your walk through your grief or even tasks that your husband formerly did and you are not able to do yourself, reach out to your church community. Don’t be afraid. In Scripture, he makes it clear over and over again that you are to be cared for by the Church and that he is watching out for you. God often calls upon the Church to care for orphans and widows as they are among the most vulnerable in any community. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to reach out for connection as it may provide you the support and healing you need most.

As you walk through this season, here are several verses that will bring encouragement to widows:

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. – Psalm 68:5

Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow. Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” – Deuteronomy 27:19

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. ⁵ The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. – 1 Timothy 5:5

The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. – Psalm 146:9

Your widows too can depend on me. – Jeremiah 49:11