One of the most difficult things in life to deal with is the death of a loved one. The Bible calls death a “sting”.
Most of us go through a grieving process, which is normal. Going through the process is the way we find healing for our soul and mind.
- The first stage of grief is shock. We can’t believe they’re gone.
- Secondly, many go through denial. This can’t be happening.
- The third stage is anger. Sometimes we even get angry at God because we know He could have prevented this.
- The fourth stage is depression. This can vary with how deep the darkness gets as we grieve.
- The fifth stage is acceptance and moving on. I believe God wants us all to get to this stage and I believe our loved one would want us to go on and live our lives. We will never forget our loved ones; those precious memories will always be there. Death can’t steal the memory of our beautiful times we had with them.
The Bible tells us we are a body and a soul. When we die, the soul leaves the body, and souls who have been redeemed by Christ go to be in the presence of God.
- (2 Corinthians 5:8) “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” Jesus said He is preparing a place for the children of God to live in the Father’s House.
- (John 14:2) “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.“
- (John 14:3) “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Although we know where our loved ones are, there is still the pain of separation. It is during these times that we need the peace of God in our lives. God is very aware of the pain that death brings to our lives. Jesus Himself wept over the death of His friend Lazarus. But in these times, God’s peace can get us through.
- (Philippians 4:6) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”
- (Philippians 4:7) “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” In these times of great pain, go to God in prayer and tell Him of your hurt. He will hear you and give you a peace you can’t describe.
- Not only do we need to pray, but we also need the Bible in our mind and soul. God’s Word will allow us to connect to God’s grace and power that we can’t have on our own.
- (Hebrews 4:16) “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
- (Psalms 46:1) “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
- (Psalms 34:4) “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” One of the most important aspects of understanding death is knowing Jesus defeated the power of death at His resurrection. Because Jesus overcame the grave, the grave no longer has power over us. 1 Corinthians 15 is called the resurrection chapter: it tells us that because of the resurrection of Jesus we, too, can have victory over the grave. 1 Thessalonians 4 also gives us this hope.
- (1 Corinthians 15:54) “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
- (1 Corinthians 15:55) “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
- (1 Thessalonians 4:15) “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.”
- (1 Thessalonians 4:16) “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
- (1 Thessalonians 4:17) “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
- (1 Thessalonians 4:18) “Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”
When you lose a loved one in death, the healing process may be slow and take time, but there are things that you can do to help you get through.
First of all, if you’re not a believer in Jesus Christ, I ask you to put your faith in Him to be your Savior. He died for you so that you could have eternal life, and His Holy Spirit will come into you so that you always have the presence of God with you. If you need help with this read “Life’s Greatest Decision” in the menu at the top of the page.
Secondly, if you are a part of a local church, stay close to them; they will help you get through this time.
Thirdly, you need to seek God in prayer, and it would be good to find a friend to pray with you.
Fourthly, remember God’s love never leaves us. Even in death God’s love is there. Don’t listen to Satan’s lie that “if God loved you, that person would not have died.” The Bible tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
There was a poem written many years ago called “Footprints in the sand”. Maybe it will help you, too.
