09/05/2025
I’ve been experiencing a lot of physical symptoms of grief and I want to talk about them and share some encouraging words.
Stress and grief can cause physical symptoms like the ones I have been experiencing. These are just a few but there are many. When the body is under prolonged emotional strain, it affects hormones, the nervous system, and even the immune system. Some possible connections:
• Blurred vision & headaches – Grief and stress often trigger tension headaches, migraines, or eye strain. Anxiety can also cause vision changes.
• Chest tightness – Stress and grief can cause muscle tension in the chest, shallow breathing, or even panic-attack–like symptoms.
• Fatigue – Deep grief is physically exhausting. Sleep can be disrupted, and your body is using extra energy to process the loss.
I’ve had memory problems and will even stop talking mid sentence because I’ve either forgotten what I was saying or my thoughts have trailed off to something else. I have no appetite and my skin is breaking out. I know I have inflammation and swelling going on. I’ve been clenching my teeth which isn’t helping the headaches either. I don’t say all of this to get you all to tell me to take care of myself, I’m trying. My body is responding in ways that there is nothing I can do about it. When you lose your world and your very existence, there’s no way to pick up and just keep going. It wrecks you in every way when you lose the most important person in your life.
Some ways I’ve tried to manage these things is with deep breathing, going for a walk, prayer, reading, taking vitamins and supplements, drinking more water, prioritizing protein, journaling and such.
I’ve had to learn to be kind to myself. Grief is not only emotional, it’s deeply physical. My body is telling me it’s carrying a heavy load.
If you’re going through a painful loss here are some encouraging Bible verses.
When you feel exhausted and weak:
👉 “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” — Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)
God knows when your strength is gone. He promises to step in where you can’t carry yourself.
When grief feels too heavy to breathe:
👉 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” — Psalm 34:18 (NLT)
You don’t have to carry the crushing weight alone. He is near, even in the chest tightness, tears, and silence.
When your body feels weary from stress:
👉 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
Jesus doesn’t just promise eternal rest, but present rest—deep soul rest that calms the body too.
When you feel overwhelmed:
👉 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)
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💙 You’re not weak for having these physical symptoms—your body is grieving just as much as your heart. God sees every ache, every tear, every moment you feel drained. He promises comfort and renewal, even if it comes little by little.
Father God,
My body feels heavy, my mind is tired, and my heart is broken. I miss my husband so deeply, and the grief feels like more than I can carry. The stress is showing up in my body, and I feel worn down in every way.
Lord, I ask You to be my strength when I have none. Calm my racing thoughts, ease the tightness in my chest, and restore peace to my weary soul. You promise to give rest to the weary and to be near to the brokenhearted—so I cling to that promise now.
Surround me with Your presence, Jesus. Breathe Your peace into me. Help me take each day one step at a time, knowing You walk with me. Heal not just my heart but also the toll grief has taken on my body.
Thank You for loving me, holding me, and carrying me through this valley. I trust that You are with me and that You will not let me go.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
