What the Holy Bible says about Grief & Loss:
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” (John 11: 33-36)
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11: 40-43)
13 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. 14 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. (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14)
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15: 21-22)
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15: 52-57)
6 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139: 6)
Something worth considering:
We often grieve because we did not have as much time as we had hoped. We may grieve because we were not ready to lose someone we loved. We may have difficulty understanding why God allowed someone to die at any age which, from our perspective, was “before their time.” But we are not looking at things God’s way. From God’s perspective, death occurs at exactly the appointed time.
Before we were born, God already knew the number of days that each of us would live on this earth. It is not within our power to add even a single day to our life. A person’s physical death — which marks the passing from this life into the next — does not surprise Him. Nothing catches God by surprise.
While we are in this life, we have the opportunity to experience moments filled with joy, love, and peace. But this life also includes times of suffering and pain. Jesus reminded his followers that he suffered while he was here and that we can expect to suffer also. We are blessed that we don’t have to suffer alone because God is with us and is willing help us through whatever challenges we face. During times of suffering, we can choose to draw closer to God.
We try to understand what heaven is like but what we most understand is what we experience in this life. So we tend to look at a person’s life as being cut short — as if this life was all there is. God knows about eternity and how much more wonderful heaven is compared to this life. He knows that this world is not our “home.”
When a believer dies, they are being called home to be with God. We tend to think of death as an end but God designed it to be a transition from a temporary life into an eternal one. For those who choose to serve God and accept the sacrifice Jesus made for their sins, they are welcomed into an eternal life with God — filled with joy, love, and peace. In heaven there is no more pain, no more tears, and no more suffering. When God calls a believer home to be with Him, God is ending their suffering and giving them an eternity filled with the joy, love, and peace.
When a young child dies, it is often very difficult to understand why they were taken at such a young age. It feels too soon. It feels unfair. We weren’t ready. But we can trust that God knows what He is doing. We can trust that God has a very special purpose for those He calls at a young age. God knows us at the most basic level — our intangible spirit. The age of the body is not significant when compared to the person’s spirit. It is the spirit that God is calling home — not the temporary vessel (the body) that briefly contained it. When God calls His children home, it is not “before their time.”
Meanwhile, those of us who are left behind continue our struggle with this life’s challenges. Please remember that God is available to comfort us and help us through our grief and loss. He does not expect us to go through this alone. He understands our pain. His Holy Spirit intercedes for us when there are no words to fully express our emotions. God cares for us and He desires a closer relationship us.
Followers of Christ Jesus have a genuine hope that is not available in other religions. We have the assurance of being reunited with our loved ones for all eternity in heaven. Holy scripture promises that everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior will be reunited in heaven. Yes, it may be difficult to adjust to this life without our loved one but God is with us and will help us through it. We are still here because it is not yet our time and because God has a purpose for us. As we walk with God and live our lives in keeping with His will, our purpose continues to unfold. God can make something good come from virtually anything. In our weakness, He is strong. And His grace is sufficient for us.
We are called to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within us. As God helps you through your times of grief, look for how He might use this experience to help you and others. Try to notice God’s hand in your life. Notice how much closer your relationship with God can become. Know that God loves you. Know that God is in control. Know that if God allows it, He has a purpose in it (even when we don’t see it). Know that He will help you through these difficult times. And know that you can do ALL things through Him who strengthens you!