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Hope Changes Your Grief

The early church in Thessalonica was confronted with the death of some fellow believers. This raised the question — what would happen with these people when Jesus returned? Would they miss out on the new earth? No, Paul comforts his readers, “we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:15). Physical death is not the end; it is no hindrance to eternal life. On the contrary, leaving this sinful earthly life brings us closer to God. As Paul writes in another letter: “We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

If our loved ones pass away, it is totally natural to grieve. Only when the new earth has been completed, grief will disappear. But if we know that the person who died was a child of God, we need not grieve “as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Even though we miss our relatives or friends badly, it is a great comfort to know that “it is well with their soul.” One day, we will be reunited with them to be with the Lord forever.