Loss is hard.

I remember walking with my wife after losing her father. It was really hard. However, when I think back to the time, it was during our family’s sorrow that I found a renewed understanding of eternity and God’s faithfulness. There was a significant spiritual impact that his passing left on my life. In a very real way, his death brought me closer to the Lord and I believe, greatly improved my pastoral abilities.

One event that was significant came through the passage that was chosen to be read at my father-in-law’s memorial. It started as I listened to my wife’s older sister practice reading the passage beforehand. Then increased, as she read it officially at the memorial. And even more so now as I reread the passage; I am deeply moved and encouraged by Paul’s words.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thes. 4:13-18)

I had read this passage before, but I never really understood the magnitude of what God led Paul to write until my father-in-law’s passing.

We all experience grief.

The difference for the Believer is that we “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again“. We don’t grieve like those who do not know Christ as their Savior. One day we will all meet again and stand with our Lord. The pain and sorrow are deep, but we have hope.

Why hadn’t I fully understood that before? My father-in-law’s passing solidified these words in my heart and I was changed because of it. Likely because it was my first close-to-home experience with loss. Since then, the loss of a Believer is a mix of sorrow and joy because I miss the person, but I always know I will see them in eternity. We will have eternity together, with all the saints who have gone ahead before us.

The subsequent series of events.

Experiencing loss can have a deeper impact still for the Believer. Prior to experiencing a personal loss, there can be a temptation to shy away from families who were dealing with a death or serious injury. For me, this was a problem in the past. I used to avoid serious situations because I couldn’t control them, nor could I control how I or others would react. This was based on my own insecurities of course. Maybe you have experienced a similar struggle?

This all changes when we experience a personal loss. We soon feel a deep longing to comfort those who are grieving or those who are seriously injured. We can truly empathize with their situation and their suffering.

The final hours of a loved one’s life.

Those final hours of my father-in-law’s life were heavy. There was so much unknown. Our family was on a floor of the hospital for terminal patients. Each room I passed held a person who was seriously afflicted with some life-taking ailment. They all had a story, with joys and sorrows, and family and friends who loved them and wanted them to be healed and recover. They were in a time of great struggle and sorrow.

These are opportunities. In these types of situations; real people experience real hardships and are opportunities for Christians to mobilize, come alongside, aid and support. Which in my experience, is often how God shows up.

God often shows up through His people!

I am always amazed at God’s faithfulness to provide certain gifts and abilities at the exact time when they are needed. The right people show up when they’re needed. Sometimes He chooses to use the unlikely candidate!

Despite our insecurities and fears, the Holy Spirit will overcome and compel us to act in accordance with what is needed. We have a wonderful and truly faithful God. We have a loving and caring God. We have a merciful God who draws near in our sorrow.

Join the Conversation; Share your Thoughts

• When was the last time you found yourself in a situation of sorrow?
• How were you compelled to act or speak?