What to do when faced with the loss of a fellow Christian

Photo Credit: Claudia Wolff on Unsplash

As followers of Christ, there are moments when we encounter the loss of fellow believers, leading to a flood of questions in our minds. Doubts and, at times, frustration may arise, particularly when we seek comprehension regarding the reasons for God permitting such events.

It's important to note that grappling with such questions is a normal part of the human experience, and Christians are not discouraged from seeking understanding.

Personally, I passed through this phase twice; first when I lost my mother at the age of 29 through breast cancer. I had been praying for her recovery for more than a year. Secondly, it was my father. He passed on 3 years later. His was sudden; he had a heart attack. My parents were close.

I grappled with so many questions during these trying times - Why did God not hear my prayers? How come I was not warned by the Holy Spirit? Could their deaths have been averted? Why did God allow it?

I grieved for some time. It is natural for Christians to grieve the loss of a loved one. The Bible acknowledges the reality of sorrow and mourning (John 11:35). However, the Christian faith brings the hope of eternal life, providing comfort in the face of grief (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

I was glad that they died as Christians. They were practising Christians. I did not mourn for too long because life and death are profound mysteries. While we, as Christians find assurance in the promise of eternal life, the specifics of the timing and circumstances of death often remain mysterious. God's understanding surpasses ours (Job 36:26).

I acknowledge that human understanding is limited, and God's ways are beyond complete comprehension (Isaiah 55:8-9). There may be aspects of God's plan and purpose that are not fully revealed to us.

Central to my Christian faith is the belief in God's sovereignty. While we as believers may not understand the specifics of why certain events occur, we trust that God is in control and that His plans are ultimately for good (Romans 8:28).

Even with all these thoughts, I wondered whether their deaths were a result of their own acts, their parents' acts, just like the disciples in John 9: 1 - 2, when they asked Jesus Christ of the man that was born blind; "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

While acknowledging the pain of losses, I celebrated their lives. I was grateful for their impact, memories, and their positive influences on my life.

I believed in the resurrection of the dead through faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the resurrection as a central tenet of the Christian faith, offering hope beyond the grave (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

Ultimately, the Christian attitude towards death is framed by the belief in the resurrection, the assurance of eternal life, and the understanding that, for believers, death is a transition to the presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:8). The grief experienced is tempered by the hope found in the promises of God's Word.

To those we know that have lost dear ones, we, as Christians, are called to support and comfort one another in times of loss. The community of believers plays a crucial role in providing love, compassion, and practical assistance to those mourning a loss (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

We are encouraged to pray for the bereaved, seeking God's comfort and guidance. We can also provide support and guidance during times of questioning, helping individuals deepen their faith and find peace in God's presence.