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Back to BlogFinding Hope When Grief Feels Overwhelming
Grief & Loss5 min read

Finding Hope When Grief Feels Overwhelming

By Dr. Jeffrey Gross• Lead Counseling Pastor, RHM
March 24, 2026
Psalm 34:18 — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

The Permission to Grieve

One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is found in Psalm 34:18 — "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Notice that it does not say God is close to those who have it all together. He draws near to the broken.

Grief is not something to be fixed or hurried past. It is a sacred process. When we lose someone or something we love — a person, a relationship, a dream, a season of life — we are not wrong to feel the weight of that loss deeply.

Jesus Wept

In John 11:35, we find the shortest verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept." Standing at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, fully knowing he was about to raise him from the dead, Jesus still wept. He entered into the grief of those around him.

This tells us something profound: God does not dismiss your pain. He enters it with you.

Practical Steps Forward

While grief has no timeline, there are practices that can anchor you during the storm:

  • Lament honestly. Read the Psalms — David cried out to God with raw, unfiltered pain. You can too.
  • Stay connected. Isolation amplifies grief. Let trusted people in.
  • Receive care. Biblical counseling provides a safe space to process loss without judgment.
  • Hold onto hope. Romans 8:18 reminds us that present suffering is not the final word.

You Are Not Alone

If you are walking through grief today, Restoring Hope Ministries is here. Our biblical counselors are trained to walk alongside you with compassion and Christ-centered care. You don't have to carry this alone.

Care That Is Measured — Because People Are What Matter

Restoring Hope Ministries tracks the well-being of every participant in our clinical and faith-based services using empirically validated screeners, clinical interviews, behavioral analysis, and self-report — so we can honestly see whether the people we serve are getting better.

This rigor reflects the training of our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Gross, who earned an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology and is continuing his Psy.D. studies in Clinical Psychology, with completion anticipated in 2028. His Th.D. in Theology and Ph.D. in Christian Counseling complement that clinical education with theological preparation for Christ-centered soul care.

At Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, he served as a Student Psychologist and later Chief Student Psychologist, supporting veterans and first responders with traumatic brain injuries through the BRAVE program. His work included assessment, individualized treatment planning, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, psychoeducational and process-oriented groups, and peer supervision. His experience also includes supervised psychological testing of clergy at Milwaukee Psychotherapy Collaborative, recovery-focused group development at The Manor by Windrose, and case management and peer-support supervision at Biehl Bridges to Recovery.

Continuing education in assessment, trauma, neurobehavioral conditions, supervision, ethics, and risk management further informs this approach. Together, these experiences help shape RHM’s commitment to careful assessment, responsible documentation, collaborative care, and attention to each person’s spiritual, relational, emotional, and practical needs. His clinical psychology doctorate remains in progress; this background does not replace the qualifications or licensure required for regulated clinical services.

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