Hope in the Mourning: A Hope-Filled Guide Through Grief

by Emily Curtis

A friend’s child dies. A loved one gets cancer. A young husband becomes a widower.

What do you say in these tragic circumstances? How can you put your love into action and offer the hope of Christ?

The best selling book, Hope in the Mourning provides first-person testimonies of such trials and advice on aiding the grieving from those who have grieved. Learn what to say, what not to say and how to effectively serve those in the deepest, darkest valleys. With heartfelt stories, practical advice, rich hymns, poetry and scripture, this book offers comfort to the grieving and valuable insight to those who come alongside them.

Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2023

Reviews

[Tiffany Youtzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent but heavy read. I could only read a little at a time because the stories, trials, and lives of these faithful believers were so much to take in. The best part was the practical application of things that were helpful or not helpful while people are going through hard trials. I learned that everyone’s reaction to a trial or time of mourning is different (you could even sense this by the way they spoke about their trial) so it’s important to be sensitive, not patronize them, and seek to understand how THEY are going through it and their particular needs.

[F.J. Akkerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Archie died, this book was gifted to us (by a friend's acquaintance we haven't met!). It was helpful for processing grief, reinforcing my trust in God's sovereignty, and bolstering my hope of the future good which will come from this.

Each chapter is an autobiographical account by a person who has suffered loss: a child, a spouse, a parent, or different kinds of loss such as health, or divorce, etc. As sad as these life circumstances were, these people infuse their testimonies with hope, encouragement, and the promises of scripture. (And because of what they've been through, none of it is sentimental, sappy, or surface-level.)

At the end of each chapter, they share particular Bible verses and songs which helped them at their lowest lows, and also specific things which other Christians did to help/support them through hardship – "what to say/do" but also noting "what not to say/do". I found these insightful and also resonated with a few of them!

Possible only to read in small increments. But uplifting and interesting. I appreciated the variety of stories – there were a few which were similar, but still different in their own ways. In a strange way, they mostly had happy endings...which is really weird to say about a book written by people who have gone through the most gut-wrenching grief. But as Christians, all loss is gain – in Christ.

My favourite quotes are from the same contributor, John Cox (from the chapter entitled "She Dances With Jesus"):

“There is a time, as Job, to sit in the ashes, but also a time to rise up and watch His plan unfold.”


“Remember this, parents [of a child who passed away], your child will have as much of an impact on your life as anyone! Though their life may be brief, it plays a significant part in His eternal plan.
But may we not simply look for the reasons, but for the redemption. There is no weight
of reasons I can find that can salve my mind at the loss of my daughter. Likewise, there
are not enough reasons that can mount up to say it was worth God sending His Son to
die. Rather, we know God's plan is that of redemption––to take the hardest day or the
darkest of souls and breathe into them the life of heaven.”


"...God took me to the depths of myself to show me the heights of who He is. He allowed me to feel like the space shuttle coming in for re-entry and the panels are flying off. And when you feel like you are only able to hold on by your fingernails, you know He is holding on to you."

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful to have this beautiful and practical resource to read and reflect upon in times of grief and sorrow. We’ve all been faced with situations in the lives of loved ones where we don’t know what to say or do to be a comfort during times of crisis and grief. This book contains a number of powerful testimonies of families who have walked through tragedy and suffering. The authors share Scripture that was meaningful in their darkest times, ways others ministered to them during these times, things that should not be said in each particular circumstance, songs that brought comfort, and how Jesus has provided hope after sorrow.

The book is also filled with hymns and beautiful poems that speak to each testimony. The book’s compiler is a gifted poet whose words will touch your heart. I highly recommend this book for those who are walking through grief and for those who want to best support loved ones in times of sorrow.

Many thanks to Emily Curtis for a gifted copy of this incredible book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Janice Corturillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So touching, encouraging, and yet bittersweet. So much heartache and yet God shows up! Highly recommend whether you've had losses in your life or want to know how you can encourage others who have.

[Alison (readinginazaleawoods) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤍 WHO IS THIS FOR: Any believer who is journeying alongside or ministering to a loved one or friend in the valley of grief and loss.
 
🤍 MY THOUGHTS: This is such a lovely resource—not only to behold, but also to read as each author tenderly reveals the hope we have in Christ Jesus and the hope they personally received from the Lord during their own time of trial.
 
One thing that I especially love about this book is the section, “Hope & Helps,” where the authors share what scripture they clung to during their hardest days and nights and the helpful ways people ministered to them.
 
I also love that each story is paired with a hymn, as well as a poem that Emily herself penned; and that at the end Emily includes a list of resources to encourage those who are mourning and a section for tangible gifts and gestures that family and friends can offer to those who are walking through a dark and difficult season.
 
Overall, this is a heartwarming collection of stories and a wonderful resource for Christians.
 
Thank you, Emily, for my copy of Hope in the Mourning in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lilly Guirguis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this all year long, not just today, because it’s full of sound biblical advice by Emily Curtis and sweet, heart-tugging stories of God’s work in all our lives.