Life after Death: WHERE?
When we experience the death of a loved one , it is important to remember that what we believed before the death will come out WHEN death arrives at our door. Notice I did not say “if” because death is inevitable- we are promised one thing in this life and that is that we will certainly face death-obviously our own death and yes, our loved ones too.
The rewards of holding on to what we believe about life and death are immense. If we experience the joy of knowing that there is a God in heaven who has promised to be with us in life and with us in death and that we, too,will be a part of the most glorious afterlife then we are sustained fully during our most intense suffering.
Trust me, this truth is the ONLY thing that will sustain you in grief, loss, suffering and pain. Why? Because these are the times that we are full of doubt and stress. We question why our loved one had to die, especially when it seems that the death was senseless, untimely, brutal. Utter chaos may break out in our mind and bombard us with confusion, fear and anger. We ask if we are deluding ourselves by believing any thing after this life can be attainable. Maybe you are terminally ill, you feel that this “heavenly” kind of thinking is of no value to you and certainly not a comfort. It is during these times many people seek out counseling and therapy. This certainly helps, however, this only helps you manage the issue, when the real need is transformation of the mind and the heart.
For thousands of years scientists, philosophers, theologians and just regular folks like you and I have wrestled with these issues. They have doubted, raised questions, looked for answers that never came. But for those of us who believe that there is a life after death with a glorious future with the Lord of Lords discover that even in death there is a way to be sustained-by relying on the truth, the same enduring truth. The glorious truth of the Gospel is the most comforting story ever told.
For the bereaved, most days are hard. Life is hard. We live in a harsh world. Everybody goes through times of suffering, sadness, stress, pain and bereavement. None of us are exempt from suffering.
During our most intense pain during bereavement or terminal illness, we cannot rely on our own creative efforts or just pull up our boot straps and carry on. We need to rely on the enduring truth that there is a home in heaven waiting for each of us through the glorious death and resurrection of the Man of Sorrows, the Son of God the Eternal God, SAVIOR, Jesus.
If you feel the need for counseling in your suffering, look for someone who will offer you hope, truth and comfort. Glen Mills Counseling Can help. www.glenmillscounseling.org
