A couple I have known for 25 years at Church just lost their son. I can only imagine the pain they must be going through, and I don’t know what to say to comfort them. Our Pastor made the announcement Sunday morning and I had to leave during the service. I was surprised to see Brother and Sister Evans sitting a few rows behind me. I grasped Brother Evans big hand as I passed and placed a hand on his shoulder. I wanted to say something but was afraid it might interrupt the service. I never met their son, but I know he left behind a grieving family.
How do you comfort someone in that much pain? I have written stories about losing my mother and brother, but in both cases their life was hard, and their death was “gain” because they knew the LORD. It was a loss for my family, but we were happy they were truly in a better place. In fact, they were in such a better place it made me feel sorry for myself. I had to stay behind, with all the pain, suffering and trouble of this life. Yes, there are blessings here too, but they can’t compare to Heaven. I hope I can share this “gain” side with the grieving family when they have gotten over some of the shock of their “loss.”
The families I can’t comfort are the ones who have no hope that their loved ones were saved. I can try to soften the “loss” by pointing out there is no way of knowing what was in their heart as they took their final breath. That small chance is little comfort, with eternal consequences hanging in the balance. We won’t know for sure until we see them in Heaven, or don’t. Either way, it can’t be changed and there is no point in worrying about those who may have died without JESUS. The only “gain” should be an increased effort to reach those who still have a chance.
With so much “gain” and “loss,” we should be all the more thankful that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). We should be praising JESUS “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Heb 12:2 KJV). They accepted great “loss” so we might accept great “gain” and eternal life.
Wayne Lance (2017)