"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
The death of a loved one is a jolt, a searing pain that causes us to forget to breathe for a moment. The realization that someone who has always been there, who is supposed to always be there, will not be seen on this earth again is more than our minds and hearts can fathom. It leaves us grasping at air as we try to pull back any semblance of normal that we can.
This past week I lost my little sister. Despite having been through the loss of grandparents, parents and friends, I had no idea how traumatic losing a sibling could be. From almost before I could remember there had always been the three of us - my older brother, me and my sister. Now there are two and it is hard to make sense out of. I just keep grasping the hand of the Lord, knowing that He understands fully.
Each of us experiences moments of intense loss at some point in our lives. Because of that, we are able to comfort others who go through the same, or similar, situations. Compassion is fueled by the understanding of brokenness. Pain is universal. Everyone will feel it eventually.
What has carried me through, and what I can offer to those who come after me on this path, is the promise that the hurt we feel now is temporary. God will ease our shattered hearts while we walk upon this globe, but there will come a day when there will be no more pain, no more death, no more tears, no more fear.
Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
In my own time of grief, what has brought the most comfort is the Truth. During our time here we will encounter heartbreak and anguish that is impossible to imagine. But Jesus has overcome the world and if we have repented of our sins and accepted Him as our Savior, then we have Heaven before us where there will be only joy and peace. One day, not too far away, we will be able to see Him face to face, to worship Almighty God before His throne and never again be plagued will illness, pain or death.
May the Lord walk with you through whatever you are experiencing today and whatever comes in the days ahead. God bless.
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