“One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Grief is more than losing a loved one. We grieve the loss of anything that was important to us, including a home, a career, or our health. In the space of a few months, I lost my mother, then my music career, my home of 24 years, and what was left of my health. I had to move from a small town where I knew everyone to a large city where no one knew me or cared that I could no longer play the flute and piccolo in a symphony because I didn’t have the breath or the stamina. Nor would they know the places I held in my heart so fondly, or meet the loving parents I was privileged to live close to for so long.

During the dark months that followed these devastating losses, God patiently taught me not to look back. My previous life was gone forever. Now I look forward, toward the end of my journey and what awaits there, where my focus should have been all along. Nothing we do or have in this life lasts forever; only our soul is eternal.

If we keep that one truth in mind, it will keep us from looking back with regret. That way we can eagerly press forward toward the finish line.

Don’t let grief stagnate you. The best is yet to come. Believe it.

Lord, forgive me for looking back with longing at the past instead of keeping my eyes on the finish line. Give me the strength and discipline to persevere in my walk with you, until my very last step. Amen.

By Katy Huth Jones
Used by Permission

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“We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope”  1 Thessalonians 4:13 (JB)

The Thessalonian church had buried her share of loved ones. And the apostle wanted the members who remained to be at peace regarding the ones who had gone ahead. Many of you have buried loved ones as well. And just as God spoke to them, he speaks to you.

If you’ll celebrate a marriage anniversary alone this year, he speaks to you.

If your child made it to heaven before making it to kindergarten, he speaks to you.

If you lost a loved one in violence, if you learned more than you want to know about disease, if your dreams were buried as they lowered the casket, God speaks to you.

He speaks to all of us who have stood or will stand in the soft dirt near an open grave. And to us he gives this confident word: “I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you will not be full of sorrow, as those who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and then came back to life again, we can also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him all the Christians who have died”  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 TLB).

God transforms our hopeless grief into hope-filled grief. How? By telling us that we will see our loved ones again.

Isn’t that what we want to believe? We long to know that our loved ones are safe in death. We long for the reassurance that the soul goes immediately to be with God. But dare we believe it? Can we believe it? According to the Bible, we can.

Scripture is surprisingly quiet about this phase of our lives. When speaking about the period between the death of the body and the resurrection of the body, the Bible doesn’t shout; it just whispers. But at the confluence of these whispers, a firm voice is heard. This authoritative voice assures us that at death the Christian immediately enters into the presence of God and enjoys conscious fellowship with the Father and with those who have gone before.

Where do I get such ideas? Listen to some of the whispers:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” (Philippians 1:21-23 NIV)

We don’t like to say good-bye to those we love. But if what the Bible says about heaven is true, and I believe it is, then the ultimate prayer, the ultimate answered prayer, is heaven.

It is right for us to weep, but there is no need for us to despair. They had pain here. They have no pain there. They struggled here. They have no struggles there. You and I might wonder why God took them home. But they don’t. They understand. They are, at this very moment, at peace in the presence of God.

by Max Lucado
used by permission

From: For These Tough Times:  Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
(Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006)

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

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Oh Death, Where is Your Sting?

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The post From God’s Perspective appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give.  Hebrews 4:15 (The Message)

“He takes the reality of nightmares and makes them only memories.”  That statement (author/source unknown) echoed in my head as I listened to Linda share the story of her experience and loss. Just short of celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, her husband died in a mountain climbing accident. The event rocked Linda’s world and, for a brief time, even her faith. How could a loving God allow a much-loved father and husband, a man with faith visible in the business community die in the prime of his life?

In a strange, yet familiar, way, Linda chose to hold on to her broken heart even though submitting to His will. She refused to let go of her grief, telling God it was the one thing she had left. It was hers.

Finally, in the stillness of a retreat afternoon, she sobbed her grief and handed her broken heart to the only One whose heart broke in a similar way. Her Heavenly Father knew what it was like to lose a part of Himself. He knew what it was like to stand aside, apparently powerless, while evil seemed to reign. He alone could begin the mending process,  but only with Linda’s permission.

Linda’s heart has been scarred by the very real nightmare of sudden death, but her memories have been cradled in the loving arms of her Father, and healing continues to take place. She has entered into areas of service, both in her own country and around the world, that she never imagined. Her walk with God has taken on intimacy she never thought possible. Nightmares have been changed into blessed memories.

Precious Father, how often I hang on to my sadness or disappointment or grief instead of handing everything over to you. Teach me to give you everything more quickly.

What have you been holding on to? Why? What do you need to learn about God that will help you relinquish everything to Him?

By Marilyn Ehle
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Comforting Others in Grief

The End of the Story

Flowers in the Snow

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“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3

A few years ago, a popular Christian song depicted Paul and Silas at the midnight hour standing in a Roman prison cell, beaten, battered, and abandoned. Yet, their voices, singing praise to God, could be heard above the other prisoners’ sounds of despair.

As I imagined Paul and Silas’ bloody and bruised hands lifted in genuine heartfelt praise to God, I longed to have a heart that would praise him despite the circumstances. I pleaded for God to develop such a heart within me.

During that time, my thirteen-year-old daughter, April, suffered from curvature of the spine. Her condition worsened to the degree that it required surgery to prevent life-threatening heart or lung damage. My husband and I researched the doctor and knew he had performed the surgery multiple times. After the surgery, April would be in severe pain for an extended period of time. God had impressed it upon my heart to do a Bible study about suffering. I thought God was preparing me to help April endure the suffering she’d experience after surgery. But he had a different purpose.

April never woke up after that surgery. That began the most difficult journey of my life — learning to live without her. At times when I was drowning in grief, I’d praise God for the moments I shared with April.

Instead of focusing on what I’d lost, I’d focus on what we’d had. Through that journey, I’ve learned our strength to enduring difficult times doesn’t come from within ourselves but from God who inhabits the praises of his people.

Dear Lord, in the midst of suffering, help me find the boldness to praise you anyway knowing that you are in control, are always there, and care about me. Thank you for your love and mercy for me. Amen.

By Veda Lucas
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• The Companionship of Joy and Pain
• What is there to say when tragedy strikes?
• Trusting God in Suffering
• Suffering and Sovereignty

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“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

While we were driving from Florida to Texas on I-10, our planned schedule came to a screeching halt in Louisiana. After waiting for an hour, we crawled en masse to the next exit where law enforcement diverted all westbound traffic off the highway. We saw why. An 18-wheeler lay on its side, blocking all lanes.

In that swampy area, the only parallel road had two lanes. We kept crawling for another hour, sandwiched between other vehicles, until the next exit was accessible. At first it was maddening to get so behind schedule. Then we started noticing trees, flowers, birds, interesting houses, and yard art, things we wouldn’t know existed had we kept driving 70 mph on the highway.

In the same way, our lives take unexpected detours when we experience job loss, a forced move, serious illness, or death of family or friends. We have choices: we can grumble, curse, or scream about the unfairness of changing our plans, or we can trust God, pray for wisdom, and accept the new route open to us.

For all we know, God might have placed that detour in our path, either to prevent a worse tragedy from occurring, or to experience unforeseen blessings along the way.

Lord, help me put my trust in you when my plans fail and grief and disappointment result. Let me accept the unexpected detour graciously, with faith that you will guide me safely through my journey. Amen.

By Katy Huth Jones
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• 14 Verses for when it Feels Like God is Silent
• Personal Revival
• The Roadblocks of Life by John Grant
• Dealing with Discouragement – by Charles Stanley

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“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 (NCV)

As long as Jesus is one of many options, he is no option.

As long as you can carry your burdens alone, you don’t need a burden bearer. As long as your situation brings you no grief, you will receive no comfort. And as long as you can take him or leave him, you might as well leave him, because he won’t be taken half-heartedly.

But when you mourn, when you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to cast all your cares on him, and when there is truly no other name that you can call, then cast all your cares on him, for he is waiting in the midst of the storm.

By Max Lucado
From: The Applause of Heaven
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://www.maxlucado.com/about/

Further Reading

•  Come Alongside – by John Fischer
•  Sample Prayers
•  Salvation Explained

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