Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.

This act of tearing clothes in grief is one that comes up several times in the Bible. In fact, it is a practice that many Jewish people still do today at times of mourning. The action of tearing clothes was meant to do a few things: 1) It was an expression or outlet of intense emotion; 2) It was an immediate sign to others of tragic loss; 3) It was a small act of sacrifice before God, showing the willingness to lose something of value as a form of repentance. Today, Jewish mourners will sometimes wear black ribbons, which is a custom that has its roots in the tradition of tearing clothes—the ribbons represent torn pieces of fabric and torn hearts.

It’s hard to think about sad things, but it can be helpful to remember that God is with us in our sadness. Take a piece of paper and write at the top: What to Do When I’m Sad. Then write all the things you can think of (or draw pictures) that can help you remember God is with you when sad things happen. You might want to write Bible verses, such as Psalm 32:7, that remind you that God gives us a safe place when hard things happen. Keep this paper in a place where you can find it when you need it.