How to Regain Your Faith After Losing a Loved One

Grief
March 26, 2025

Most people rely on their faith to see through the difficult times in life.

However, amid grief, it is possible to even lose sight of one's faith.

Ironically, you might need to regain your faith after losing a loved one to get the necessary support for grief.

Avoidance or denial of your feelings does little about your true feelings.

Denial merely misleads you into false security.

The first step for you to regain your faith after losing a loved one is to admit that you are losing faith and want to regain faith.

Prayers are one of the most effective ways to regain your faith after losing a loved one.

A connection with your higher power usually happens when you pray.

This means it would help you consider using prayers to rediscover your faith.

Meditation is all about refocusing on your faith.

It would help to dedicate sufficient time each day to concentrate on your faith and the nature of your grief.

Eventually, you might gain clarity about the value of your faith to you.

Rediscover how to regain your faith after losing a loved one.

Acknowledge Your Feeling

The truth is losing a loved one is one of the most painful things a person can experience.

There is no gainsaying the authenticity of the truth.

It is understandable to feel various emotions, such as pain, anger, rage, and disbelief.

You are only human to have questions about your loss and the reason it happened to you.

These feelings are things that you should try to embrace and acknowledge.

Some of the emotions you feel are necessary for the grieving process of some people.

It might help you to address your questions about your faith.

This might indicate that you have to reconnect with your personal beliefs and God.

However, living in denial of your true feelings under the influence of unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol will only hide your disbelief.

A great first step to regaining your faith after losing a loved one is to acknowledge and accept the feelings of doubt you have.

Take it as an admission that you are losing your faith.

Then you can begin to find your faith and ultimately heal from grief.

A cross-section of religious worshippers.

Prayer

Prayer is a vital part of having faith.

Essentially, prayer is about seeking guidance or help in your time of need.

There are a few times better to ask for assistance and guidance than the moment you believe you are losing your faith.

Prayer is also essential to regain your faith because it helps you connect to your higher power, God.

Moreover, prayer can also help heal and lift you out of depression.

If you once believed in God and prayers, then consider it worth trying to connect with your faith.

Grief can be a powerful emotion, so even if you lack the strength for long prayers, consider trying shorter prayers.

Each time you try reconnecting with your higher power, you are likely making some progress, even if you are unaware.

Prayer can also be made simpler.

Consider trying to reach out with the divine factor in your factor and just talking about your feelings.

It could help you regain your faith after losing a loved one.

When you talk to God, you can ask for help to deal with the grief and reconnect.

A man praying in a worship center.

Meditation

Meditation can be a valuable technique to reconnect with your faith.

Although meditation can mean various things in specific contexts, here, meditation simply means to concentrate entirely on something.

Thus, meditation here is to concentrate on your faith.

It would be helpful in recovering your faith to focus your mind on your religion and the tenets of your religion.

Try to give yourself sufficient time each day to concentrate on your religious beliefs and their impact on your life.

Slowly, you might discover that your religion also brings you peace and companionship.

You can also reflect on why you believe you lost your faith.

Consider if there are other reasons beyond the loss you have suffered from.

Sometimes, there might be other things chipping away at your faith that you failed to notice.

The role meditation plays in how to regain your faith after losing a loved one is to gain clarity.

After engaging in deep thought, you can determine how valuable your faith is to you.

You can also gain clarity about the nature of your grief healthily. 

Community

People have an inherent nature to rely on their community and support, especially in times of need.

This is evident as family and friends care for one another.

You might also have to rely on your community to regain your faith after losing a loved one.

Sometimes, grief overwhelms your body and mind, and you might be too occupied to remember faith.

A support community will be helpful in this case to lighten the burden on you.

They could help with financial aid, food, personal chores, and other means.

It is also possible that you are genuinely struggling with your faith.

In this case, you can meet your family members and friends of the same faith for support.

It would also help you to seek the support of a community of people with the same faith as you.

Worship centers are another place you find support.

If you think you need personal support, you can see a religious leader or counselor to advise you.

The most important thing here is to rely on the community around you.

Journaling

It can be a long journey to regain your faith after losing a loved one.

There are several obstacles you will likely encounter in your journey.

A journal would be an excellent companion to help you reconnect with your faith.

In this sense, a helpful approach to journaling is to record some of your thoughts.

Things might move faster than we can sometimes appreciate in life, so having to record life gives fresh perspectives.

You might be disappointed at the loss you suffered.

However, journaling might help you realize some of your blessings.

Being able to count your blessings can be referred to as journaling.

For one, meeting and loving your deceased was a gift from the start.

Every second that you enjoyed with the person was also a gift.

With the help of a journal, you might notice life has its moments.

However, you can be grateful to your faith for the good moments and accept others how they come.

Journaling can regain your faith when you consciously try to appreciate your life. 

Conclusion

Across many cultures, faith is an integral part of easing grief.

You will find that there are very few things better at providing grief therapy than your faith.

You can regain your faith after losing a loved one by acknowledging your feelings, praying, meditating, seeking communal support, and journaling.

Resources 

What Can You Do If You Lose Faith After a Loved One Dies? | Cake Blog (joincake.com)

Easing grief through religion and spirituality - Harvard Health

7 Healthy Ways Christians Can Deal with Grief (crosswalk.com)

What to Do When You Feel You've Lost Your Faith I Psych Central

How Can I Have Faith After Losing My Son? (thelife.com)

Author
Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

Common Questions about Grief

What is complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder?

Complicated grief, also known as prolonged grief disorder, is when intense grief symptoms continue for an extended period, often longer than six months. This type of grief can result in difficulty resuming normal life activities and can lead to sleep problems.

When is grief usually the worst?

Grief can be particularly intense in the early days following a loss. However, it's not uncommon for grief to become more pronounced at certain times, like at night or in the morning. This can be due to the mind being busy processing the events that happened.

How do I deal with grief?

Dealing with grief involves allowing yourself to experience grief, seeking support from family members or a mental health professional, and taking care of your physical health. It's also important to remember that everyone grieves differently and there's no "right" way to grieve.

What are some common symptoms of grief in the elderly?

There are a variety of symptoms that can be associated with grief in the elderly. Some common physical symptoms include fatigue, changes in appetite, and difficulty sleeping. Emotional symptoms can include sadness, anger, anxiety, and guilt. It's also common for those who are grieving to withdraw from social activities and lose interest in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed.

What are some healthy ways to cope with the pain of a breakup?

There are many healthy ways to cope with the pain of a breakup. Some strategies include engaging in self-care activities, writing in a journal, reaching out to loved ones for support, and reframing your perspective. Additionally, seeking professional help can be an important step toward healing after a breakup.

What can happen if I don't seek help for my grief?

Ignoring grief can exacerbate symptoms and make it more challenging to manage over time. This can result in a negative impact on your personal, professional, and social life, leading to feelings of isolation, chronic sadness, and even physical health complications.