Dealing with Grief: An Unexplained Loss

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

One of the toughest things we face in life is the unexpected death of a loved one. Sure we grieve when someone in the latter years of their life passes away from health problems that arise as we get older. But it is the people who pass away unexpectedly that cause us to struggle.

Maybe that is you today, facing the loss of a loved one or trying to recover from an unexpected loss. Understand you are not alone. Two years ago one of my mom’s younger sisters had a brain aneurism and went to be with the Lord. She left this world, leaving behind a nineteen year old daughter and a devastated family. She was only fifty-four. We asked some of the questions you may be asking.

Why God did you take her? Why so early? Why take a believer doing so much for the kingdom, when unbelievers suffer nothing? Why, why, why?

“Why” is the question we all ask with grief, but here is the truth - we may never know why God called someone home earlier than we think He should have, but we do know this:

1.      We live in a world that when sin entered it, it created disease and death. (Romans 5:12)

2.      God is not the reason for death, Satan is. He came to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)

3.      It may seem like nothing bad happens to an unbeliever, but there is a reason. (2 Peter 3:9)

4.      Believers have a hope of seeing their saved loved one again. (1 Thess. 4:13-14)

5.      God will comfort you as you mourn the loss of your loved one. (Matt. 5:4)

If you are struggling with grief, allow God to comfort you and get help in overcoming the grief. The loss of a loved one can be hard, and it can take a while to deal with the hurt and pain. Know that our staff is praying for you, and feel free to share some good memories and stories of your loved ones that have gone to be with the Lord.