PRESENT COMFORT

Hope and Encouragement for Grief

...you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
John 16:20 (NIV)

We grieve because we love.

If we did not love, our heart would not be broken by the death of one we love. Grief is often referred to as a journey. The journey begins when one we love dies. Though the journey does not come with a precise roadmap, along the way we find answers to some of the most difficult questions of life and death through prayer, introspection, and soul-searching. We near the end of the journey when we move beyond our grief toward hope and new life.

I hope that you will allow me to serve as your guide and walk beside you on your journey through grief. This is a place for your personal comfort, encouragement, and support as you encounter many of the practical, spiritual, and emotional challenges of grief. My hope is that you will use the books, blogs, daily devotionals, prayers, and grief group resources to lead you toward renewed hope, recovered love, and belief in the future.

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Featured Resource

Present Comfort

Meditations on Modern Loss and Grief

by Julie Yarbrough

Present Comfort is for those who have experienced loss as well as for those who are at a loss to understand the myriad emotions of grief....

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Featured Resource

Present Comfort

Meditations on Modern Loss and Grief

by Julie Yarbrough

Present Comfort is for those who have experienced loss as well as for those who are at a loss to understand the myriad emotions of grief....

Inside the Broken Heart

Grief Understanding for Widows and Widowers

by Julie Yarbrough

Inside the Broken Heart Grief Understanding for Widows and Widowers is a resource to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of those who...

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Beyond the Broken Heart

Daily Devotions for Your Grief Journey

by Julie Yarbrough

Beyond the Broken Heart – Daily Devotions for Your Grief Journey offers 365 topical devotions for grief. Each includes a scripture, a...

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Beyond the Broken Heart

A Journey Through Grief

by Julie Yarbrough

Beyond the Broken Heart – A Journey Through Grief is a dual-purpose resource. It is well-suited for anyone who has lost a loved one to...

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Beyond the Broken Heart

A Journey Through Grief - Leader Guide

by Julie Yarbrough

Beyond the Broken Heart – A Journey Through Grief - Leader Guide is a comprehensive guide for the Leader of a grief group. The Leader...

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Beyond the Broken Heart

A Journey Through Grief DVD

by Julie Yarbrough

Beyond the Broken Heart – A Journey Through Grief DVD is the third component of the grief group program. The DVD includes eight short...

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Secure in the Storm

Scriptures for Your Time of Need

by Julie Yarbrough

This pocket book is a collection of Scripture verses offering comfort and hope to anyone who is experiencing loss or discouragement. In it...

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A Journey Through Grief

Life Beyond the Broken Heart

by Julie Yarbrough

A Journey Through Grief – Life Beyond the Broken Heart explains the journey through grief in a small, concise format. Because it covers a...

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From The Blog

One of the most sacred things we can share with others is what we have learned from our personal experience of grief. We offer the wisdom, insight, and perspective of our encounter with death and grief when we open our heart and invite others into our grief. On this website you will find blog posts on a wide array of topics. Hopefully you will find a word of affirmation or encouragement that speaks to your heart of hope for life beyond the broken heart.

Blog

Comfort—Again

Comfort is a repetitive experience of grief—there’s no one-time, once and for all comfort that can fix our grief and send us on our way in life. When we grieve, over time what we—discern is that God is persistent in comforting us—again and again and again. The psalmist assures us, “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 NIV).

Fear: Day 3

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8 NRSV

More Devotionals

Thought

In grief, your strength and wisdom are sometimes reduced to weakness by fear. When you are wounded and broken, you are vulnerable to the kaleidoscopic projections of fear. You may fear that you will become ill or that you will get hurt. You may fear that you do not have enough resources. You may fear your own death or that you will die alone. You may fear that you will lose someone else close to you. You may fear the unknown. The list goes on and on. The power of fear is conquered by the power of faith.

Prayer

God, I can do nothing except walk in your steps as you go before me, believing that you will not fail me or forsake me. I am dismayed. Help me conquer my fear. Amen.

Assurance

When I write about my fear, I put it in perspective.

Grief Groups

For many, a grief group can be a safe emotional and spiritual place that provides grief understanding and deep fellowship with others who are experiencing grief. Though a grief group is not for everyone, those who need direction and guidance often find the way forward through grief in the context of a confidential grief group community. Group leaders are encouraged to use the resources available on this website for inspiration as they offer their personal support and spiritual care to those who grieve.

Find a Group

"My prayer is that you will experience both personal and spiritual growth as your broken heart is transformed through the presence and grace of God."

Julie Yarbrough

Testimonials

"Great material and resources to help grieving people move Beyond the Broken Heart."

"A great leader's guide with devotional suggestions."

"Excellent information and great lesson plans."

"With each turn of page, readers of Present Comfort will come to know Julie as a new friend who has a vulnerable, compassionate, and courageous heart--just like them."

"Present Comfort is a rich exploration of the sacred space of grief. Filled with deep spiritual insight and her own personal story, Julie Yarbrough writes in exquisite prose to lead her readers through the “valley of the shadow” into the bright hope of God’s love, joy, and new life."

"Present Comfort is a marvelous exposition of one of the grand themes of the Bible, that “God is with us,” especially in the darkest and most difficult times in our lives. This is simply a wonderfully “hope-full” book for all of us in uncertain and challenging seasons in our lives."

"The author gives us a book that is skillfully written, biblically based and a wonderful blend of spirituality and personal experience. The reader will find hope and healing on every page."

"Julie Yarbrough is like a friend who lovingly guides you through the heartbreak of loss and shares hope in a time of great need."

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Contact Julie

If you need to share the pain of your heart with a confidential, understanding listener, I am available to you by email. I will pray for you individually and personally because like you, my faith has been tried and tested by death and grief. I believe with absolute certainty that the power of a loving, caring God will comfort and heal your broken heart, just as it has mine. You are not alone, I am here for you.

Ask Julie