HOW TO DEAL WITH DEATH

"The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:22-26

When something amazes you, to whom do you give the credit? When something goes wrong, to whom do you blame?

Do you blame God for:
•your bad luck?
•your finances?
•for a death of a friend, family member or loved one?
•for sickness?
•for failure?

Most people blame God for everything bad, but does He ever get credited for the wonders in your life?

Let's take death as an example. Death is inevitable. So when someone you love so dearly dies, does it ever cross your mind what kind of impact that person had in your life? Did you learn anything from that person?

Did they:
•give you good advice?
•show you how to love?
•love the Lord?
•give you bad advice and you learned from it?
•make you feel good just by being around them?

If we can understand that everything comes from God, then we can understand why people come into our lives. God uses us for His purposes. God works through us. Yes, He even uses the bad things that happen to work for the goodness and glory of Him.

I had a friend that was a very good person at heart. He loved people and everyone that he met loved him. He cared about people and gave money and clothing to different charities. He loved to hunt. He had a wife and two kids that he loved very much. He also had an alcohol problem and was not the best husband and father he could be. One day in church he felt the desire to go in front of the congregation, admit his sins and have the Lord take over his life...AND DID HE EVER! You see, my friend made people feel good, but he was desperately seeking something more in his own life. Yes, those sweet greener pastures. When he invited the lord into his life, my friend changed. He went to Alcoholics Anonomous and was determined to be a better husband and father. The Bible never left his side where ever he went. He would call to tell me how much he loved the Lord and read scripture to me. I think he called everyone he knew. The man could never stop talking! Once again, making a Godly impact on everyone he came across.

He preached God's precious words for maybe a little over a month. I received a phone call one evening and heard the devastating news on the other end. This man that was loved by so many was shot and killed instantly in a hunting accident. Taken away in a blink of an eye.

It was this man that ultimately made me realize that he was here on earth for one reason...God. You see, my friend didn't leave behind thoughts of an alcoholic and depraved father and husband, but he left behind a legacy of a man that loved God. He blessed many people's lives and I'm certain that in just one month he brought many people to the Lord. Was I sad and did I cry? Absolutely! But I never challenged God. It's unquestionable that God smiled and was pleased when He took my friend home.

Praise God for sending this man into my life and many others! He will never be forgotten..

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints"...Psalm 116.15

"The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."...Isaiah 57:1-2

When you are mourning and have questions, I hope that you will read the scriptures below and find comfort as the Lord will send His Holy Spirit, The Comforter to you:

Jesus says ...
"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted"...Isaiah 61.1
Jesus says...
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."...John 14:18
Jesus says...
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"...John 14:27

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."...Philippians 4:1-9