Death hurts
Did I need to tell you that?
I often hear phrases that sound like somehow God is not good because death is in the world.
“How could God have allowed my loved one to die?”
“I can not love a God who allows bad things to happen”
Or even a deeper one,
“Why did God do this to us?”
As a grieving parent, I have heard these thoughts expressed over and over. I have read many blog posts and have seen parents try to comfort themselves by resigning to the thought that we cannot understand “God’s will”. I have heard it preached ‘God had a bigger plan for our loved one’ that included taking them out of this world. Maybe… but I firmly believe the reason death is so hard is because it was NEVER GOD’S PLAN. His plan was life and life more abundantly.
The truth is, God never wanted death in this world. He created a place of perfection, free from pain. When he allowed us choice, he allowed us to choose things that marred his perfection. He allowed us to choose sin and death began when that sin entered.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 says, “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive”
Does that mean your loved one died as a punishment for sin?
–no, it means this world is no longer without blemish. Death now stains its’ perfection and became the ultimate end to our physical bodies.
As a Christian, I’ve long heard the songs that sing “Oh death where is your sting? Oh grave where is your victory?”
I already knew that Christ came to take that sting, but oh how it still stings, doesn’t it?
The pain of death is crushingly heavy, feeling much greater than even a sting in my heart.
When I think of getting a wasp sting as a child, I remember the pain being immediate searing hot pain, then it fades. It’s been a long time since I have been stung by an insect and I have to reflect back, is that really what it feels like? I guess I am reminded that the pain is still an ache long after the moment of pain. The red staining, hot skin, hives are all results that linger long after the initial trauma happens.
Yes, death carries the initial sting, but it too carries pain that lasts long after the grave is dug and the flowers fade. Much longer than people are comfortable with the expression of grief. Longer than the grace that is given to a person in mourning.
God did not plan for physical death and certainly didn’t want his only son Jesus to go through it.
--BUT God allowed his own son to go through it for you and I. He chose salvation from our sin to enter the world through Christ’s death on the cross, taking away the sting of death.
When does that happen?
When will God ease our grieving hearts?
I found the answer in 1 Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death”.
Death’s time is limited. Christ’s return is inevitable and when he does, death will have no more reign. I look forward to that time with hope.
This chapter comforts my aching heart, but I also know grief is such a personal walk. We grieve at different times and often in different ways. There is no RIGHT WAY to express your grief.
Every emotion you feel is normal and not one of them surprises our Creator. –anger, --denial, --confusion, --pain, --and any of the hundreds of other feelings that surround grief, are all things we will walk through. He is intimately aware of our feelings, our thoughts, and the workings of our hearts.
I encourage you to read the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 for context. Never rely on someone else to tell you what God wants YOU to hear. Instead, know I am telling you what He is teaching ME. May He fill you with wisdom and insight. May He grant you peace and comfort as you face the grief in your life. May you grieve but with hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
~Telling Christ’s story {Because of Millie}
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I still believe in Millie’s Miracle
☆｡･:*:･ﾟ Hebrews 11:1 ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
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