Getting rid of the sting, Part One

There are some things in life that I will never be able to understand or explain. One of them happened two weeks ago; when I was informed that one of my cousins had passed away.

Now in my family, the death of a cousin is nothing new. Two aunts, two brothers and roughly 30 cousins are all the family I have left. But this death was different, because in this case, my aunt and cousin (mother and daughter) both succumbed to ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease). That’s what makes my cousin’s death so hard to understand.

I cannot explain why some people die in their sleep after living for more than 90 years and never being sick a day in their lives; while others die in their 40s or 50s (or maybe even younger) from cancer, kidney disease, ALS, a heart attack, stroke or some other debilitating illness. Almighty God is the only one who can answer these questions; and unless he chooses to tell us his secrets,

Neil Strohschein

those questions may never be answered.

So whenever I am told of the death of a friend or family member, I look for words that can take the sting out of the pain I am feeling. I am often drawn to two portions of Scripture that give me much comfort and hope.

The first is Romans 8:3839: “For I am convinced that...nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Some of the most incredible people I have ever met have survived and thrived despite severe physical, mental or emotional challenges. Their attitude to life often puts me to shame.

They do not consider themselves to be handicapped. In fact, most of them hate the term. They tell me that the only thing “wrong” with them is that their souls and spirits are trapped in bodies that aren’t working too well. They can (and do) feel the love that they receive from their families, friends and most of all, from God. That love sustains them in life and helps them remain strong in faith as they face the moment of their death.

That’s when they and those closest to them cling to the promises of 1 Corinthians 15; promises of a resurrection to new life in bodies that are free from all pain, sickness and disability; bodies engineered for life in the universe; bodies that sin cannot corrupt, sickness cannot attack, disease cannot cripple, and death cannot destroy.

First Corinthians 15 ends with these words: “Death (will be) swallowed up in victory. Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

My cousin is enjoying part of that victory right now. Two weeks ago, she left her body behind and went to be with Jesus. He gave her a form that enabled her deceased parents, family and friends to recognize her and welcome her home. What happened to her has also happened to all who die believing in God and trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But they have not yet experienced the ultimate victory that awaits us.

One day, Jesus will return and we will receive the bodies described in 1 Corinthians 15; bodies just like the one Jesus received when he rose from the dead. Reflecting on these thoughts helps remove the sting of a family member or friend’s death from my mind.

But I still grieve– differently, but I still grieve. And I will tell you why next week.