I recently lost a very close friend. How can I deal with the pain and sorrow I am feeling?

 

Few events in life are as painful as losing a good friend, and God understands your grief. He even understands your doubts and the other feelings you may have, and I want assure you that those things do not change His love and concern for you. One of the Bible’s greatest truths is this: God never abandons us when life becomes hard. He does not turn His back on us. He is always with us and wants to help us even when life is difficult and everything seems to go wrong. Trials will either make a person turn away from God or drive them closer to Him. When we turn to Him our faith grows stronger, and afterward we are better equipped to meet the next challenge that comes our way. The Bible says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3).

 

God wants to comfort you and help you deal with your loss. Don’t cut yourself off from Him, even if you find yourself confused by what has happened. Instead, turn to Him and tell Him honestly how you feel — and then ask Him to help you as you adjust to the loss of your friend. The Bible reminds us that He is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). If your friend accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour then they have passed from all the pains and sorrows of this life into the joy and peace of Heaven. They are now safely in God’s presence forever. The Bible tells us that in Heaven “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

 

I urge you to continue to commit your problems to God and ask Him to help you grow spiritually stronger through them. Never forget: Jesus Christ went through far more than you or I ever will. He will never abandon you. Now more than ever put your faith and trust in Him and thank Him for the hope that you have of Heaven because of His love. Then reach out to Him every day. I can’t promise all your problems will be over-but I do know this: It’s far better to face them with Christ than to face them alone.

 

- Mark Shutts