Something Worse Than Death

Both of my parents are facing imminent death due to age and disease. I’m surprised at the strong emotions I’m experiencing, especially since losing my 9-yr-old daughter and my 23-yr-old son. One brother has died and of course other family members. I have many loved ones with the Lord now. Life has not been easy.

But God…

Some think if God is good, He’ll stop bad things from happening, like the death of children, disease in parents or other loved ones, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and of course, active shooters, and war. So, when horrific situations occur, many people blame God or worse, lose faith.

The opposite happens as well. When good things happen, it’s not uncommon that humans take credit for success, instead of thanking God for the blessings.I’m reading a book by Philip Yancey called The Question That Never Goes Away: Why? 

I’ve asked that myself, many times. It’s a difficult read, filled with hard truths of all the above situations. Those tragedies listed happened during my life. They’ve certainly changed me.

Yancey acknowledges that Christians have not always responded to the problem of pain and grief with grace, but he helps us find meaning in the midst of the deepest suffering. This book is a deep and personal reflection on the ways that suffering both challenges and affirms our faith and how we can respond to the existence of evil in a manner that doesn’t dismiss it.

But God…

I’ve suffered deeply and my life is now more than half over but I can say that there are many promises of God that He has fulfilled for me. However, there is one greater than most, for me.

For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Heb 13:5b, GNT

And He hasn’t. He does not abandon His own. There is something worse than death. Hopelessness. Despair. Terrifying darkness. I get afraid, often, but deep within me, I know I am never alone. 

I made a decision when I was much younger, and every human has the same choice; acquaint yourself with Jesus. It’s a relationship that evolves daily and ultimately, won’t disappoint. I couldn’t have survived the deaths of my children without Jesus. He never leaves me alone. He is my comforter in all things, including death.