In Your moment of Grief....
PRECIOUS SOUL,
As you now grieve through the loss of a loved one, this message comes to you specially to bring understanding, sunshine and assistance in this dark hour of loss.
If there is a God, why does He allow pain, suffering or death? This may perhaps be your first question.
The Bible teaches that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1.17). He does not bring us suffering or pain. Very often this is the result of man's own foolishness, sinfulness or ignorance.
But why does He allow it? To be sure, God can wipe away all tears and take away all sorrows if He so desires. He can prevent the devil from continuing in his evil ways. But suppose He did exactly that - what then?
The earth would be different overnight. No suffering or pain!
Just imagine two boxers in a ring, fighting and punishing one another without stopping because neither could feel pain. Imagine also a baby banging his head against the wall because he feels no pain. The fact is, without pain we cannot accurately distinguish between good and harmful actions. And while our internal organs bleed and break, we would go on our merry way feeling no pain.
Yes, most assuredly, God has His purpose in allowing suffering and pain in this world. It acts as a warning that something is not right. When we suffer, it causes us to stop and think of our careless actions and its consequences, something we otherwise might not do if we felt no pain. Most of all, it helps us to feel and truly realise our own inadequacy and to return to our Creator for assistance and strength.
As you go through your grief, use this vital time to examine yourself. Ask if you have been mindful of God in your life. Examine the purpose and direction your life is heading. Lay your life open before God. Cast out every dead weight. Pray like King David of old for God to search your heart. Use this situation to rededicate yourself totally and seek strength from the Fountain Source at times like these.
As you do this. it may be that God is using your plight to bring you closer to Him and further away from the vain unimportant things of this life. If so, you can benefit from your grief.
Not all grief is the result of sin. Job of the Bible was a good man, perfect in the sight of God. Yet God allowed Satan to inflict suffering upon him. If this is your case, may I encourage you to meet every difficult situation in the arms of faith? As you go with God, so will God go with you. And as you stay close to Him, you will come out of these stormy days better, brighter than before -- as gold purified by fire. Once again, we have much to benefit because the end result will be better.
It may be that you are suffering now because of the mistakes and wrong of others. If this is so, you can number yourself among the Greats of the Bible, side by side with Jesus. You see, He also suffered, but not for sins that were His own. The apostles after Him rejoiced because they were counted worthy to share in their sufferings for Christ. So can we.
Most important, as we endure this moment of grief, let this be a reminder of a place where such suffering does not exist. In heaven there is no pain nor sorrow. And as we look forward to this permanent home of the soul, we realise that the present sufferings are but for a brief season and cannot be compared with the joys to come.
Our prayers and hearts are open to you in your suffering. We can feel deeply for you at this time. Not sorrowful as those who are without Christ and without hope, but enduring joyfully because we trust in Him who assuringly comforts us by revealing that "all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28).
One of these days, very soon, when all of the toils and labours are over, and when we sweetly find our rest in Heaven, we shall see our God face to face. Till then we will never fully appreciate our moments of sufferings but in childlike faith, entrust our souls to His keeping. We realise that the temporary pains which we endure now will be replaced with everlasting joys to come.
In the meantime, Dear one, hang on. Trust Him and abide by His will. Very soon, the silver lining around the cloud will appear and the worst will be over.
You would have emerged from your trials stronger, more mature and better for it, for you have touched one of llfe's most deepest cords. Our Care Teams at Pasir Panjang stand ready to minister and assist you in working through your grief. All this while, please know that you are remembered in our prayers for we know that this will be a source of great comfort to you... in your moment of grief.
- Dr. Henry Kong, Minister
Pasir Panjang Church of Christ, 347 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118688.
Tel: (65) 67788259. Fax: (65) 67765278.
email to Minister at ppcoc@pacific.net.sg
