A Sonnet On Loss

Isaiah 57:1-2 (New International Version)

1 The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no

one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. 2 Those who

walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

Whether it be a close friend, family member, or beloved pet, at some point or another,

we all come to experience the power of death over the mortal form. Losing someone

so dear to us, whose season awake intertwined so intrinsically with our own, and

having to continue living life as if nothing changed is never easy. On the contrary: it is

quite possibly the most difficult emotional trial one can experience here on Earth. It is

often in the aftermath of searing loss that we become most willing to turn to God,

whether to seek comfort or answers regarding our loved one’s departure. So, what

words could the Lord have for us during these moments of pain and uncertainty?

“I Am Sorry For Your Loss.”

In the midst of our own internal lament, it can be easy to forget that, regardless of how

close we were to our recently departed, no one knew them better than their Creator.

Make no mistake: His love for them is genuine! Moreover, He acutely understands the

pain brought forth by their passing. There is no sin in grieving those who have left us,

for it is the time for weeping and for mourning.

“I Have Not Forsaken Them.”

If the most righteous person you know dies in a freak accident or the sweetest seems

to be shown no mercy in their final days, questions will undoubtedly begin to surface

in your mind. Why would a loving God allow this to happen? Sure, we're all sinful

people, but Jesus died on the cross to save us! Is something like this really fair? Such

questions evolve from the idea that, in these deaths, the Lord has abandoned the

children He cares for. This could not be further from the truth! The souls of those

righteous individuals live on, in the glorious presence of the One they served, and

those sweetest who were suffering have finally been granted rest.

“I Want To Help You!”

Christ tells us He will not force us to undergo more than we can handle. If any feeling

could call such a claim into question, it would be the pain inherent in losing a loved

one. This exceptional sense of anguish can no doubt be overpowering, but to face it

alone is simply not in our Father’s plan. He warns us we will most certainly have troubles on this Earth. Following Christ will not award us a break from life’s worst –

but it does provide us a personal relationship with He who has conquered death.

Closing Thoughts:

Loss is an incredibly difficult thing to face. No matter how overwhelming the grieving

process, God can help you navigate through it. He loves you and yours beyond what

words can describe, so when you come to Him in your time of mourning, He will

never forsake you – as He has never forsaken your beloved.

Matthew 5:4 (New International Version)

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.