Today I will begin by saying, at the request of one of my family members I would like to share about the loss of loved ones.
Within the last month we personally have lost three family members.
The question of “how do you handle the loss of loved ones?” is one that has no real answer. However I would like to encourage all who may experience such a time , be sure you don’t turn your back on God.
The hurt is real and all emotions we feel are very real but we must sort out the good memories and begin there.
Just the other day I attended my dear niece’s funeral and her 9 yr. old nephew stood up and shared these words with us. The best way to handle what has happened to auntie is to know that she’s gone but as long as she is in our hearts she’s not really gone! So in other words we need to store up good and heart healthy memories of our loved ones and friends and when the time comes to use them as a healing process, it will make it much easier The road to recovery from the death of a loved one is less painful if you are not hounded by the pain of regret. That’s why it’s so vitally important to have a spirit of forgiveness working in our hearts constantly.
I can recall, when I was 19 yrs. old my Dad and I had a terrible argument. I stormed out of his apartment and I told him “I’ll never come back again, unless you are sick or dying”! Those were harsh and ugly words spoken in a moment of anger that I was never able to take back. My dad did get sick and died the very next day. It took a very long time for me to overcome the guilt of that moment. I’ve since learned to be quick to forgive. When I lie down at night, not knowing if I’ll awake on earth or heaven I don’t want to have an unforgiving heart as I stand before the Throne.
This question brings up another circumstance which directly affects how you are able to cope with the death of a loved one. You hope and pray that the individual has died in Jesus. Then you can say they loved the Lord and the things of God. That in itself eases the pain .
When you are a born again believer in a family who claim to know God and you notice the fruit of their labor does not line up with the word of God , You need to be bold and do what Andre Crouch said in his famous song. “Tell them, even if they don’t believe you, just tell them, even if they don’t receive you, tell them for me, tell them that I love them and I came to let them know.” Even though you may not be welcomed with open arms all the time. Make sure you play a part in sharing the salvation message to your family and friends and God will help you put back the pieces of your life each and every time a loved one is taken .
Several years ago God gave me this poem about funerals and I’d like to share it with you.
When the funeral is over and all your friends are gone
That’s when I will come along
When all the hugs and kisses have ceased
That’s when I will grant you peace
In the midnight when it seem that no one cares
Just remember, “I will be there
You have a choice to make and the decision is yours
Will you continue with Me or will you close the door?
It’s not the end for you loved one so don’t let it be an end
for you, Your sorrow will cease if only you can come to
Me remembering that I am your High Priest.
God is fair and just and we must continue to trust in Him no matter what! Have a blessed day. May the love of God rule and reign in your heats.