The Grief Wasn't Enough

 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NKJV)

"I'm sorry, but your mom has passed away." These were the words Mary heard while on vacation with her husband. Her mom had been in the hospital suffering from a disease the doctors thought she'd recover from. A few weeks later, this same precious woman would get the news that another one of her family members had also passed from this life. I was able to see Mary in person a couple of days after the family had gone through the second death in 2 weeks. The thing that struck me about her the moment I saw her was her ability to still trust the Lord. She knew who her sustainer was. She knew where her strength came from. Though she was (and still is) hurting, the grief wasn't enough. It wasn't enough to make her stop trusting God. She's clinging to that hope that she knows won't disappoint...that won't leave her side. Are you suffering from the loss of a loved one today? Let me encourage you, don't grieve as those who have no hope. Mary knows she'll see her loved ones again one day.

Father, I lift up my readers today. I pray for each of them who may be going through loss. Hold them close to Your side. In Jesus name, Amen.