Chapter One
Moment One
Jesus Makes the Difference
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116:15
I can imagine that these words from Psalm 116 stir some mixed
emotions for you as you face life without your loved one. Your loss
doesn't seem "precious" to you; it has left you feeling devastated.
These words even seem contradictory, because the Bible calls death
an enemy. Why would Scripture record this sentiment and attribute
it to God?
Only one answer: Jesus conquered death. Those who trust in
Him move past death to eternal life in the very presence of the
Lord. Our loss is heaven's gain.
"But I want my loved one back," you say to God in honest
confession.
I remember well the early days of loss. My broken heart didn't
much care about being unselfish and willingly accepting the growth
in heaven's population (at my expense).
And yet, as I calmed my spirit and settled my emotions, I could
find comfort in the words of this psalm. I could picture Jack entering
into the presence of the Lord and running into the arms of the One
who loved him more than I did. Seeing Jack as precious in God's eyes
softened the ache in my own empty arms. I wanted my pain to go
away as quickly as possible, but I felt happy for the victory over death
that Jack enjoyed.
The pain of loss lingers, but that reality isn't as bad as it sounds.
After all, it is because of love that loss is so painful. You will eventually
heal and learn to live with the scar on your soul, but you will
always be touched by the memory of the presence of that missing
loved one.
Pain lessens, and healing brings great comfort and freedom.
You keep breathing and moving and growing, and one day, joy
blooms where only sorrow lived.
None of us would choose to lose loved ones just so that they
could be with God in heaven. But how unbelievable that hope lives
in us in the face of death! Death pierces our lives in this fallen
world, but heaven awaits us in the next.
Maybe you are reading this and you feel unsure if your loved
one lives in heaven. We are not called to judge. I believe that God
touches the hearts of people beyond what we can see or hear. We
haven't yet moved to the other side of death, so we don't know
what mysteries of God's love might be revealed there.
Faith in Christ purchases our place in heaven, but we cannot
know what happens in the souls of dying people. Only God treads
that mysterious land. He certainly has the power to reveal Himself
to them without our knowledge. Leave your loved one in God's
hands and move toward the healing He offers you.
If you don't know Jesus personally, now is the time to invite
Him into your own life and trust Him as your Savior. He will walk
with you through and beyond your grief. Admit to Him your own
failings and accept His gift of life eternal as His beloved child.
(Continues.)
