5 April 2023 - Losing a loved one

When a born-again, Christian loved one dies, we mourn, but we do not mourn as the world does for the simple reason that we have an eternal hope that the world does not have.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (MSG) And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.

Mourning is not pleasant, but it is a part of life. The Bible teaches us that God is close to the broken-hearted. Mourning is painful but relying on God can help you get through it.

Psalm 34:17-18 (NLT) The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 31:9 (AMP) Be gracious and compassionate to me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; My eye is clouded and weakened by grief, my soul and my body also.

Isaiah 53:4 (AMP) But He has borne our griefs, And He has carried our sorrows and pains; Yet we assumed that He was stricken, Struck down by God and degraded and humiliated .

Happiness is God’s very purpose for your life.

Revelation 21:4 (NLV) God will take away all their tears. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All the old things have passed away.”

John 16:22 (NIV) So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.