Sunday Night Reflections - Reflecting on loss

When Tragedy Comes Home

There are times when life reminds us that we are fragile people who experience both pain and loss. For our family, that is what happened this past weekend. On Saturday evening, my brother called and asked me to pray for his family because his daughter had been in a tragic automobile accident that claimed her life. For 37 years she lived a full life. However, she was not finished writing her story.

When we are young, we expect a long life filled with victories, good times, and precious memories. When death enters the picture, we find ourselves going through a range of emotions—shock, inconsolable grief, anger, and sadness for a life that was not able to reach its full potential.

As someone who has walked through the horror of death, I can tell you that time will pass, but you will have a hole in your heart until we are reunited in heaven. So how do we move forward after such a tragic event?

1. Prepare for eternity. There is more to life than 70+ years. We are created to worship God and to have fellowship with Him. We prepare for eternity by putting our trust in Jesus. If you have not made Jesus Lord of your life, you are not prepared for eternity.
2. Remember that life is fragile. You are not promised tomorrow, so make sure you are ready to see Jesus in the twinkling of an eye. He and He alone will walk with you as you journey along this fragile path.
3. Remember that in this pain there is hope. There will be a day when God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more pain or sorrow. That is the day we all long for, and I hope it is soon. The longer I experience life, the more I look forward to seeing my Savior.

We may feel that today’s pain is unbearable, but I thank God that He is the God of all comfort. Put your trust in Him, and eventually your mourning will turn into rejoicing. Believe me—it will happen.