Death and Loss
As you face the loss of a Christian spouse one of the main questions you may be asking is, "How can I go on?" You may have unresolved issues that nag at you. Your heart may be broken because you think that there is nothing that can be done, nothing that can change the horrible way you feel.
Old Cades Cove road in Townsend
Death is precious to the Lord. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Psalm 116:15). "How can something so painful be precious in His sight?" you may ask. After all the experiences you and your spouse endured may have involved great sufferings.
Jay Adams in his little booklet, When A Christian Spouse Dies, says that "on the cross Jesus brought joy out of pain. He goes on to say you can know the joy in the midst of sorrow even as you gain a glimpse of hope through your tears. You may not think it possible, but it is.
"Think, first of all, of what death means to your Christian spouse. Your spouse is 'with Christ' . . . which Paul says in Philippians 1:23 is 'better by far.' For your saved loved one 'to die is gain' (Philippians 1:21). These are wonderful truths never to be forgotten.
"Your spouse has left you behind, and it is understandable that your loss is heavy. But your loved one has also left behind the sorrows and trials of this life and has begun to enjoy the unspeakable bliss of heaven itself. Through Christ's death, your spouse has been made fit for heaven. What an assuring fact.
"The most wonderful thing that has every happened to your loved one was to die. Have you considered this? Shouldn't you echo God's expressed view of death as precious? Think deeply about this thought" (pgs.3-6).
