Promise of Life

I have a cousin on my father's side of the family that had cancer a few years back. She was a Christian who truly loved the Lord.  We all prayed for God's mercy concerning this situation.  My brother in particular prayed for her healing.  He felt sure that he had God's confirmation that everything was going to be all right.  A few months later she passed from this life to the life that is promised to all that love the Lord.  My brother was discouraged by this and few months later he was working on one of his many projects. While he was working he began to think of this and said to himself..."I really believed that she was going to be all right."  He told me as soon as he said that a thought came to his mind. "She is all right, she is right here with me."

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) KJV

When my brother told me this I was given a sense of peace about what happened.  While she did die in the physical sense as we know it, she lives a new life in the Lord.  For the Christian there are things far worse than physical death.  We have the hope and promise that Jesus will never leave nor forsake us.  I still believe in physical healing of the body.  I believe that petitions should be made on behalf of the sick.  I am just saying that the Lord chooses the time that we are to go through the veil from this life to the next one.  Grieving is a natural thing to do.  We do miss our loved ones after they have passed away.  I think you should not have to grieve as if there is no hope.  There is always hope in Christ!  While you grieve you should also think of the life your loved one has passed into.  Rejoice for them because they have realized the promise of God. We have all lost someone that was very special to us.  I hope that you will turn to God in your grief with thankfulness for the times you had together. Turn to God for the hope and promise of seeing them again in the life that is to come through Christ Jesus.

Father, I thank you for all of those that I love in my life.  I think of my parents whom I loved and still love so dearly.  I think of friends who have gone home to be with you, Lord.  I think of those that are still with me and rejoice in the promise of life eternal with you.  Bless those that read this today and give them peace with their past, comfort for today, and hope for their future. While I thank and praise you for the things that you have given me, the ones that I love are truly the most wonderful gift of all.  I ask this and praise you in the name of Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen.