Comfort and strength when life has been lost

When tragic events occur and life is lost, is there any comfort to be found? I’ve found that an understanding of God as Life itself can be a powerful comfort. This is no Pollyanna-esque blind hope, but a deep-rooted spiritual conviction that no matter what circumstances may seem to be, all of God’s children are safely upheld in His all-encompassing love—that life is forever intact and continues on beyond the limited human view of life. Glimpsing this truth unfolds strength and peace that can’t be shaken and heals grief.

My husband and I found this to be true when our teenage daughter was killed in a car accident by someone apparently under the influence. Christ Jesus’ example was a comfort and a strength to us at this time. Jesus came to prove the eternality of life, and even while on the cross he asked God’s forgiveness for those crucifying him. His resurrection and ascension proved that death was not the finality it appears to be. And he promised us that the peace of Christ would be with us forever.

The same love of God that sustained Jesus is still here, embracing everyone. Psalm 91 assures, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. . . . He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (verses 1, 11). Even in the face of the most tragic situations, God is lovingly holding all in the great heart of His love. God’s tender messages, or angels, feed those mourning a great loss with spiritual inspiration. Tenaciously holding to these comforting messages is strengthening.

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