Today someone very close to me lost someone very close to them. I cannot really describe the sad ache in my heart. But i know it is nothing compared to the devastating loss of my friend.
Our little family of 5 are Jehovah’s Witnesses and we wholeheartedly share in the easily recognized work of sharing what the Bible has to say about the lives we live now, how to cope with anxieties of the present, and also the hope for the future that so many people pray for in the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer –
“Let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place as in heaven also upon the earth.” (Matthew 6:9,10)
Just think. God’s will on the earth as it is in heaven. Is there wickedness or sickness or death in heaven? Of course not.
When tragedy strikes, we can feel lost and alone and wonder why did God allow this to happen? How could a loving, caring God be the cause of such sadness. Not only may we feel that, but many people are told by their religious counselors that God needed an angel or it was fate that a life be cut short.
The truth is, however, that God is not to blame for the problems that plague humankind. In fact, there are valid reasons to believe that God will soon undo the harm brought on the human family.
Does this take away the pain? No! But it does at least give us some explanation as to why something so unthinkable could happen.
It also helps us to draw close the the source of comfort and hope. James 4:8 say if we “draw close to God he will draw close to you.” Jehovah God is also called the “Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1:3.
We have many miles of distance by the map from Rhode Island tonight but in our hearts you couldn’t be closer. Our thoughts and prayers and all our love is with you.
And to anyone else who may be reading this blog post…
Take an extra moment to look at the people you love and cherish them.
Hug your kids extra extra extra tight when you tuck them in this evening.
Any problems you may have had today, put them in perspective of how heartbreaking true loss is.
And, take comfort in this article I pasted in this evening. This is the reason that Jehovah’s Witnesses knock on your door.
Consider a couple excerpts.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040701/article_02.htm (you can click the link to read the entire article)
IT IS only natural to call to God for help when we are in dire straits. After all, he “is great and is abundant in power; his understanding is beyond recounting.” (Psalm 147:5) He is in the very best position to help us to cope with our problems. Added to that, the Bible invites us to ‘pour out our heart’ before him. (Psalm 62:8) Why is it, then, that so many have the impression that God does not answer their prayers? Does that mean that he does not care?
Rather than being quick to blame God for any seeming inaction, think back to the time when you were a child. When your parents did not give in to your every demand, did you ever accuse them of not loving you? Many children do. When you grew up, however, you appreciated that love is displayed in many ways and that saying yes to a child’s every request is not really the loving thing to do.
Similarly, if Jehovah does not always answer our prayers to our liking, it does not mean that he is ignoring us. The truth is, God shows his concern for all of us in many ways.
First of all, it is thanks to God that “we have life and move and exist.” (Acts 17:28) Giving us life surely shows his loving concern for us!
Further, Jehovah supplies what we need in order for us to stay alive. We read: “He is making green grass sprout for the beasts, and vegetation for the service of mankind, to cause food to go forth from the earth.” (Psalm 104:14) In fact, our Creator does more than provide the bare necessities of life. He generously gives “rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling [our] hearts to the full with food and good cheer.”—Acts 14:17.
Still, some may wonder, ‘If God loves us so much, why is he allowing us to suffer?’ Do you know the answer to that question?
Is God to Blame?
The Basic CauseWho, though, is to blame when someone gets sick or dies because of old age? Would it surprise you to know that God is not to blame even for that? God did not create man to get old and die.
When the first human pair, Adam and Eve, were placed in the garden of Eden, Jehovah gave them the prospect of everlasting life in an earthly paradise. However, he clearly wanted the earth to be populated by humans who would appreciate their heritage. Hence, he made their future life prospects conditional. Adam and Eve would live in Paradise only as long as they remained subject to their loving Creator.—Genesis 2:17; 3:2, 3, 17-23.
Sadly, Adam and Eve rebelled. Eve chose to listen to Satan the Devil. He lied to her and in effect said that God was withholding something good from her. So she embarked on an independent course and attempted to “be like God, knowing good and bad.” Adam joined her in her rebellion.—Genesis 3:5, 6.
When they sinned in this way, Adam and Eve showed themselves unworthy of living forever. They suffered the disastrous results of sin. Their strength and vitality waned, and eventually they died. (Genesis 5:5) However, their rebellion had far more serious consequences. We are still suffering from the effects of Adam and Eve’s sin. The apostle Paul wrote: “Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.” (Romans 5:12) Yes, because of the rebellion of Adam and Eve, sin and death spread like a malignant disease through the whole human race.
The Strongest Evidence of God’s CareDoes that mean that God’s human creation was permanently ruined? No, and here we come to the strongest evidence that God cares for us. At great cost to himself, God provided the means to redeem mankind from sin and death. The redemption price was Jesus’ perfect life, willingly given in our behalf. (Romans 3:24) Thus, the apostle John wrote: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) As a result of this outstanding act of love, we once again have the prospect of living forever. Paul wrote to the Romans: “Through one act of justification the result to men of all sorts is a declaring of them righteous for life.”—Romans 5:18.
We can be certain that in God’s due time, there will be no more suffering or death on planet Earth. Rather, the conditions foreseen in the book of Revelation will hold sway: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3, 4) You may say, ‘I will never live to see that time.’ However, the fact is that you might. And even if you die, God can raise you from the dead. (John 5:28, 29) That is what God purposes for us, and that is what will happen. How far from the truth it is to say that God does not care for mankind!
Today, Jehovah helps us to endure. In due time, he will remove sickness and death
“Draw Close to God”It is comforting to know that God has initiated a long-term, permanent solution to the problem of human suffering. What, though, about right now? What can we do if we lose a loved one in death or our child falls sick? Well, it is not yet God’s time to remove sickness and death. The Bible indicates that we will have to wait a little longer for that to be worked out. But God has not left us without help. The disciple James said: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” (James 4:8) Yes, our Creator invites us to have a close personal relationship with him, and those who do never fail to sense his support even in the most difficult situations.
How do we draw close to God? King David asked a similar question about three millenniums ago, saying: “O Jehovah, . . . who will reside in your holy mountain?” (Psalm 15:1) David answered his own question when he went on to say: “He who is walking faultlessly and practicing righteousness and speaking the truth in his heart. He has not slandered with his tongue. To his companion he has done nothing bad.” (Psalm 15:2, 3) In other words, Jehovah welcomes those who follow the course that Adam and Eve rejected. He draws close to those who do his will.—Deuteronomy 6:24, 25; 1 John 5:3.
How can we do God’s will? We have to learn what is “fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God,” and then choose to act accordingly. (1 Timothy 2:3) That involves taking in accurate knowledge of God’s Word, the Bible. (John 17:3; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17) More than just casual Bible reading is involved. We need to imitate the first-century Jews in Beroea who heard Paul’s preaching. Of them, we read: “They received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.”—Acts 17:11.
Likewise today, a careful study of the Bible strengthens our faith in God and helps us to forge a close relationship with him. (Hebrews 11:6) It also helps us to appreciate exactly how Jehovah deals with mankind—not only for short-term benefits but especially for the long-term good of all who are rightly disposed.
Today, millions worldwide wholeheartedly agree with the psalmist who said: “The drawing near to God is good for me.” (Psalm 73:28) They have been helped to cope with the problems they face now, and they have the confident hope of living forever in Paradise on earth. (1 Timothy 4:8) Why not make it your aim to “draw close to God”? Indeed, we are assured: “He is not far off from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27) Yes, God really cares about you!
Hugs to you, Enos family.
My gratitude goes out to all of you. Your response to our loss is overwhelmingly loving and a very important reminder that our lives are so fleeting but our reliance on Jehovah is our stronghold. Be safe and hug your little ones for me.
Very encouraging and thoughtful, and very much needed and appreciated.
1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails
I’m sending you all my deepest warmest love and hugs.Please take a moment and have a group hug with your family today from me.I love you all so much.
Love Carl and Nicole
Thank you for this. In such an unfortunate event that just brings us to our knees, this may be just the thing that will be a witness to others.
Kimiko, Tatum, Portia and Stella
Thank you…..what encouraging thoughts for all of us to ponder….We love your family very much….stay safe.
hugs and kisses Enos family.