There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
Our scripture passage tells us that there is a time to mourn. When we lose a loved one, even though we know they have been called home to be with our heavenly Father, we mourn our loss. We miss them and there is nothing to fill that empty void.
Often times the loved one we lose has had an impact on our lives that has made them larger than life to us. The loss is devastating. In the movies, the hero never dies. But in real life, we suffer loss. God calls His people home to Him and we must wait to see them again.
In the book of Matthew in 5:4 Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Mourning seems like a high price to pay in order to receive comfort. It’s not something we yearn for or look forward to. I truly don’t know how someone survives a time of mourning without the comfort of our Lord and Savior.
The loss of someone we dearly love leaves us feeling alone even though we may be surrounded by others experiencing the loss just as we are. It leaves an empty space that nothing will fill. In the time of loss we may not feel so blessed because of our mourning, but we can feel comforted in knowing that God will take care of us. We are told in Psalm 147:3 that He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. We are told in Psalm 34:18 that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 73:26 tells us that our flesh may fail but God is the strength of our heart and our portion forever.
Why must we suffer loss? Well, death came into this world because of sin and that’s a whole other blog. But, God sent His Son so that we could be saved from our sin and spend eternity with Him in heaven. It’s important that we understand that we are all on this earth a short time. We will suffer while here on earth, but not for long. Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” 1 Peter 5:7 tells us that we can cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us.
When we lose someone that was in a relationship with our Lord and Savior, it’s not, “Good-bye”, it’s, “See you later.” But there is nothing simple about it. In John 16:22, as Jesus prepares His disciples for His death, he says, “So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy.” We may experience sorrow in this life, but there is coming a time when we will no longer experience sorrow, suffering, or pain.
For those of us who love the Lord, we eagerly anticipate that day when we will be in the place where He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, there will be no more death and no more mourning or crying or pain for all these things will have passed away (Revelation 21:4). But unless we are caught up in the rapture with those we love, we will leave behind those who will mourn our loss.
In the times that we mourn, we may not feel blessed, but we should seek comfort in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior. He’s here to walk us through the fire and through the flood. He promises that He will not leave nor forsake us. When we lose someone we love who was in relationship with the Lord, we are comforted by knowing that this is not “Good-bye,” but “See you later.”
Have a great day!