By Dave Breese

We have recently been in touch with many folks who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Others, even now, pray for dear ones who are on beds of affliction. How do we deal with concern for those in present pain, or who grieve for those who have recently been taken home to heaven?

The answer of the Scripture is that we are to “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (I Thess. 4:13). Therefore, we are not to grieve excessively, we are not to pine away, we are not to sorrow as if the situation were hopeless.

“But,” someone will ask, “how can we avoid being distraught at the presence of suffering and the effect of death?” There are several answers to that understandable question which we do well to keep in mind.

First, heaven is infinitely better than earth. The Scripture says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him” (I Cor. 2:9). The Christian who dies goes immediately to this marvelous place called heaven and is with the Lord. Remembering this, we do not sorrow.

Remember also that many of our loved ones are already in heaven. Heaven will be the place of grand reunion with those of our beloved circle who have already departed this life. This should produce marvelous anticipation. Yes, heaven should be contemplated with ecstasy by all who know Christ as personal Savior.

Our suffering here is really but “light affliction.” The Scripture says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Cor. 4:17). For Christians, what we think to be suffering down here in this world is not judgment, it is the prelude to glory.

We must remember as well that suffering in this world is the result of original sin by Adam and Eve and the presence of sin in us all. Sin is progressive in life and when it is finished it brings forth physical death. The spirit of man, however, is already redeemed, but alas, the body awaits “the adoption... the redemption of our body.“ Therefore, being Christians, we should not ask, “What have I done that I should suffer so?” Your suffering is because of what Adam did.

Suffering is tempered by our Heavenly Father. Again and again the Bible indicates that God, who knows our frame that we are dust, will never allow us to be tempted or tried beyond our ability. When we are tempted to despair, we must always remember that God will provide a way through (I Cor. 10:13).

Suffering is also a testimony to others. The devil often causes the world to believe that people will be true to God only in the days of health, wealth and sunshine. Suffering disproves this treacherous argument by the Devil. The onlooking world sees us retain our integrity during suffering and it is impressed. It looks upon our confidence and our faithfulness in times of trial and must admit that there is nothing like this in the outside world.

Suffering also helps us to more greatly appreciate the memory of sunlit years. The joys of living with a wife, a husband for fifty years should not be cancelled by the pains of physical decline. We are to rejoice in remembering those happy sunlit years and suffering helps us also to anticipate more to come when we are at home with the Lord.

Remember also that there are no tears in heaven. God will wipe them all away and give us joys that will be unmitigated forever. We can look into the wideness of eternity and know that it contains no terrors for us.

Finally, suffering will prove irrefutably that Christ is with us, both in time and also in eternity. His promise of, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20) is a marvelous and faithful one. He will never leave, He will never forsake, even in the days of trial. All who suffer will experience this.

This is not true about the world which has no hope. For the sinner, these days on earth are the best he will ever know. For the Christian, these days are the worst he will ever know. In this world, we move through the fog and many times stumble at the lack of clarity. But, we can endure it all because we are going to our heavenly home which is far better.

We should be encouraged by these promises from the Word of God. These words are written in the prayerful hope that they will restore the joy of heavenly anticipation with some who may be experiencing the pains of grief today.

One day, perhaps soon, we will be taken to be with Jesus Christ. Therefore, we do not fear but we rejoice in the blessed hope of His glorious appearing. When the Apostle Paul tells us to comfort one another with these words, he was speaking about the Rapture of the Church. Heaven is before us and there, our dear Savior will explain everything.