by the Lord
June 22, 2011 (Wednesday)
I am very sure of one thing: God loves us. I have resolved to let nothing shake that belief, and I have devoted many years to sharing that message with anyone who will listen. In his great love for each of us, he has provided in advance all that is necessary for our comfort when death comes to our loved ones. What has he promised? What can comfort us?
We find comfort in our memories. We will recall and, in our minds, actually relive precious moments from the past. Let the memories flow. Let the miracle of virtual reality happen. Those memories are the gift of God.
We find comfort in our family. Granted that old bitterness is sometimes revived when death visits a family, but that does not have to happen. It can be a time of renewed love and devotion, and often brings comfort.
We find comfort in our friends — our extended family. Along the way, we make friends. We become a part of each other. These friends stand by us in our hour of need. They comfort us.
We find comfort in our Bible. Thousands of verses remind us of God’s presence and love for us. In the Bible we can hear God speaking to us in our grief.
Most of all, we find comfort in the Lord himself. “The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Please remember all these things when your are grieving. The Lord wants to help you. An old hymn urges, “Ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you. He is willing to aid you. He will carry you through.”