ODB: Trust and Sadness
May 26, 2011
Earth has no sorrow that heaven does not feel.
READ: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
Even in laughter the heart may sorrow. —Proverbs 14:13
In early 1994, when our family found out that the US soccer team would be playing in Michigan in the World Cup, we knew we had to go.
What a great time we had as we went to the Pontiac Silverdome to see the US take on Switzerland! It was one of the most remarkable events of our lives.
There was just one problem. One of our four children, 9-year-old Melissa, couldn’t join us. While we enjoyed the event, it was not the same without her. Even in our joy at being there, we felt sadness because of her absence.
As I think back on that day, I’m reminded that our sadness then is a little like our sadness now that Melissa is gone from this life—having died in a car accident 8 years after that game. While we cherish the help of the “God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3), even that great comfort doesn’t change the reality of her empty chair at family gatherings. Scripture doesn’t tell us that God wipes away our sadness in this life, but it does tell us that God is faithful and will comfort us.
If you have lost a loved one, lean heavily on God’s comfort. Keep trusting Him. But know that it’s okay to feel sadness for this absence. Consider it one more reason to place your burdens on your loving heavenly Father.
— Dave Branon
Source: Our Daily Bread
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS FeedRelated
ODJ: before the eulogy
February 11, 2012 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ (v.11). READ: Philippians 1:1-11 In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom, Huck Finn, and Joe Harper sneaked off for a few days away without telling anyone. Back home, their distraught loved [...]
ODJ: death-defining moments
November 9, 2011 A wise person thinks a lot about death (v.4). READ: Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 You guys, line up alphabetically by height.” Huh? “We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees.” What? These are two of many other bizarre quotes I came across recently. Solomon said some pretty odd and outlandish things too. For instance, [...]
ODJ: Letting Go
May 2, 2012 15:20-24,42-58 Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ (v.57). READ: 1 Corinthians During a recent 3 week stay in the hospital, I met Kathy. She shared her grave medical condition and her strong faith—an unflinching belief in Jesus. She loved Him and trusted Him, but [...]
ODJ: faithful lament
February 15, 2012 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? (v.1). READ: Psalm 13 Last year we watched with sorrow and concern as an earthquake, tsunami, and ensuing nuclear disaster rocked Japan. The news captured a particularly heart wrenching photograph of 4 year old Manami Kon having the sad occasion to practice her recently [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米
Just wonder why a cross is placed on top of the grave even before the inscriptions on the tablet. If the cross represent both hope and love then I think it is a comfort for many believers already. Knowing that our loved ones are going back to the blossom of our Father’s love besides the hope for resurrection. My concern is always that I am not ready to give account to my Lord who loves me enough to save me from the penalty of my sins. A daily struggles indeed.