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A Prayer for These Who Are Grieving
By Laura Bailey
“For to me, to stay is Christ and to die is acquire.” – Philippians 1:21, NIV
I’ve learn Philippians 1:21 numerous instances, plastered on espresso mugs, scribbled on t-shirts, and scrolled on ornamental notebooks and playing cards. And but, it wasn’t till just a few weeks in the past that I really started to grasp the verse.
An in depth buddy, mentor, and pillar in our church and group handed away unexpectedly. Even these with the strongest of religion couldn’t assist however ask why? Why did God take somebody so lively, so on fireplace for Him, who lived and breathed the gospel message? For a lot of, the sudden loss, myself included, was simply an excessive amount of to bear; we knew what the Scriptures mentioned, absolutely believing she was within the presence of our Savior, but, we nonetheless discovered it obscure why the Lord would permit her passing.
To encourage others and assist me higher course of her loss of life, I started studying by my Bible, lingering on highlighted and underlined verses. That’s after I landed on Philippians 1:21; the acquainted phrases instantly touched my coronary heart. Inquisitive about different translations, I learn the NLT model, “For to me, residing means residing for Christ, and dying is even higher.” Like many issues within the Bible, this verse is a paradox, the phrases counter-cultural. How might dying be higher than residing?
These verses are part of the letter Paul wrote to the church of Philippi. Paul was at present in jail, he is aware of that many are distressed by his present circumstance, however in a hope to place their minds comfortable, he shares that his struggling isn’t in useless however for the development of the gospel! Paul was properly acquainted with struggling; he’d been crushed quite a few instances, imprisoned on multiple event, and mocked, but, all these items allowed him to proclaim the identify of Christ additional. Paul lived out his religion in any respect prices, even prepared to offer his life for the gospel if others would come to know Christ.
As believers, our duty is to convey glory and honor to the Lord. We will “rely all of it pleasure” (James 1:2-4) as a result of we all know that we’ve got everlasting hope (1 Peter 1:3-9) and can in the future be within the presence of our Savior (1 Peter 5:10). Paul was prepared to sacrifice all for the Lord and desired that each his life and loss of life would convey glory and honor to God. Paul knew that his earthly loss of life would imply he would lastly be within the presence of His Savior. He might stay with out worry and encourage others as a result of he knew it doesn’t matter what occurred to him, life or loss of life, he could be with the Lord endlessly (Philippians 1:23).
Whereas we’re nonetheless on earth, Christians will all the time really feel the strain between residing within the current and spending eternity with their Savior. The Lord put eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:14), however He additionally needs that whereas we’re nonetheless right here, we proceed to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) and be a light-weight on this darkish world (Matthew 5:16).
It doesn’t take away the ache of shedding a brother or sister in Christ; these verses aren’t meant to be a magic wand that takes away the disappointment and damage. However, we will discover consolation, a peace in realizing that for many who are God’s youngsters, even when they’d a terrific life on earth, it pales compared with being within the presence of our Lord. Allow us to cling to the guarantees that in the future, each tear can be wiped away, and we can be reunited with different believers and, above all, our Lord and Savior for all eternity (Revelation 21:4)!
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, please be with all these grieving the lack of somebody they beloved and cherished. We all know that earthly loss of life is part of life, however it’s nonetheless onerous to course of. Lord, we ask that you just give us peace that passes all understanding, that we are going to be comforted and expertise hope that solely will be present in you. Might we stay as sacrifices for You, bringing You glory in each our life and loss of life.
Lord, give us power as we go about our day by day duties; when the grief is an excessive amount of to bear, assist us to maneuver ahead. As we mourn, we name on our pals and church household to supply assist and prayers. We love you, Lord, and are so grateful that this isn’t our house, this world isn’t our closing resting place, and as soon as we stay right here, we’re going to a greater place, Heaven, for all eternity. We love you, Lord. In Jesus’ Title, Amen.
Picture Credit score: ©iStock/Getty Photos Plus/Filmstax
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