Sunday Reflection: The Sting of Death

When people we love die, it’s final. We can’t see them anymore, talk to them on the phone or include them when good or bad things happen to us.

Death is final. Death has its sting.

If we're lucky, they live a long life, but sometimes they don’t and that is a tragedy in itself. Sometimes people are blessings, but can also be thorns causing pain.

Death has little benefit unless we accept by faith that Jesus is the Son of God sent to save his people from themselves: sin, bad decisions, a life lived unworthy of the plan of God.

Today someone I’ve known for so very long, a relative, is dying.  Family members are sad. We all know we will see her again in heaven, but that does not take away the sting of death.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)

Blessings,
Teresa

Comments

I'm sorry, Teresa. Even though we'll see them again, it hurts because we will miss them.
Jo said…
The loss of a loved one is always painful
JoJo said…
So sorry to hear about your family member. :(
Pat Hatt said…
Never easy to lose a loved one. The people that are thorns are a little easier though haha
I am facing the death of my best friend from cancer. It hurts more than words can adequately convey. We who believe know that we will be re-united -- but it is like knowing a loved one is in Hawaii and we cannot communicate with them for years. They are in a better place but we miss the communion with them.

Whenever someone who knows you dies, you lose one version of yourself.

Yourself as you were seen, as you were judged to be. Lover or enemy, brother or friend, those who know us construct us, and their several versions slant the different facets of our character like diamond-cutter's tools.

Each such death is a step leading to our own grave, where all versions blend and end.

You will be in my prayers, Teresa
Gail said…
i'm sorry. It's never easy even when we know we will see them again.
Marcy said…
Facing the death of a loved one is very hard, as my family experienced this past winter with my mother's illness and death in April. How grateful I am to know that she is now free from pain and sorrow and that we will be together again in heaven. But it does hurt to not have her here to visit with, especially for my dear Dad. They were together for over 65 years. May you and your relative and other family members continue to be blessed with peace and comfort.
I am so sorry you are going through this. You are not alone , we have all faced this , doesn`t make it easier , but I pray for you & your family member ,it has only been a year since the death of my husband & it still stings as though it was yesterday, phyllis
Cheryl @ TFD said…
I'm sorry about your relative. It always hurts to lose a loved one. We miss them so much even though we know we will see them again. I will whisper a prayer for you and your relatives. Take care.
Arlee Bird said…
The words are comforting and yet our humanness can pass through those moments of uncertainty and pain. I empathize with your situation. Take care.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

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