The Call to Grief

It’s the middle of the night. We awake from a solid sleep to the sound of the loud ringtone of our cell phone.

Phone calls in the night are rarely a good thing. This call is no different. A family member is dead and life will never be the same.

The phone message starts the spiral of grief. As we mechanically move to get ourselves dressed and out the door, our brains are in a fog. We put the car in drive and speed through the night on autopilot to get to our dear ones.

The scene we encounter at the care home is both heart wrenching and peaceful. Our dear dad/father-in-law, is lying there in such beautiful peace. His facial features, lately haunted by severe pain, are now relaxed and peaceful. It is actually a joy to see him relieved of the constant pain.

We have that joy because our loved one is now walking with Jesus in heaven. How do we know that? Jesus promises that all who believe in Him as Lord and Saviour will be saved and have eternal life with Him. He tells us:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24 NIV)

We take great comfort that our separation from our dear one is only temporary. Because we also believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again to everlasting life, we are assured that our place in heaven is secure.

However, that doesn’t change the heart wrenching part of the scene we encounter. Our beloved mother/mother-in-law is beside herself with grief. The man who has been a part of her life for 80 years is no longer by her side.

Her tears and lamentations are not caused by a lack of faith but by deep sadness. She also believes in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Yet the ache in her heart and spirit is intense as she must face life without her beloved mate. A deep loneliness settles in, even though she is surrounded by her children. The pain is intense.

Yet joy creeps in. My mother-in-law is a person who takes great delight in life and in people. As the Spirit ministers to her heart, she recalls many moments of happiness with her dear one. Bubbles of laughter appear as she recounts some special moments in her life history with her husband.

Yes, she oscillates between laughter and tears. That is grief. Our bodies react with shock. Unbelief at the reality tends to surface. Yet, through all this, we can rejoice in the promises of our Lord to sustain us through all things. We can anchor ourselves on God’s Word which promises us comfort, no matter what we face.

The tears will come, unbidden, when we least expect them. But God tells us this:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NIV)

That is the new life to which we can look forward. There is hope. The troubles of this world are only temporary. We will have an eternity to rejoice with Jesus if we believe in His saving grace.

There is no denying the hurt we feel right now – but we will celebrate because Jesus is the Victor.

My friend, whatever grief you are facing this day, take heart that God is there right alongside you. You are NEVER alone and there is hope.

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