“Good Grief”
BIBLE READING: 11
Samuel 16-18
“O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if
only I had died in your place.”
Family
members grieved deeply when 32-year-old Cindy died, but they also experienced
great comfort. They knew that Cindy had a strong personal faith in Jesus. They
also were confident that she left this world knowing she was greatly loved. And
when she died, they had no regrets because they had enjoyed a good relationship
with her.
King
David’s grief was not lessened by any such comforting thoughts. He knew his son
Absalom had died as a rebel. David, I am sure, had regrets about the kind of
example he had set in his life (his multiple marriages, his sin with Bathsheba,
and unresolved family disputes).
We
cannot prevent the death of family members, but we can do much to lessen our
grief when it happens. Right now we can commit ourselves to put God’s glory and
the good of our loved ones above our own selfish desires. We can talk to them
about our faith in Christ. We can express our love for them. And we can make
sure that we have done everything possible to resolve conflicts. This may call
for humble confession—and that may not be easy—but a restored relationship will
lessen the grief when a loved one dies. What can you do to prepare for good
grief? The death of people whom we love brings sorrow and deep pain; but if our
loved ones know the Lord, our loss becomes their gain.
-Selected
from Herbert Vander Lugt
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