Hi AY Family,

In our world today, there are a lot of people who are grieving the loss of their loved ones.

     According to research, grief is deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death.

     God does not want us to grieve like those who do not have hope because if the person knew Christ as their personal Savior, they will be in Heaven.

     1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

     God wants us to comfort those who are grieving.

     Matthew 5:4 says: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

     Speaking of grieving and Jesus' second coming, people try to set dates for when Jesus will come back. When He does not come back on that particular date, they are disappointed.

     Matthew 24:42 says: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

     People are also fearful of what is happening right now, especially what is happening on the news regarding church and state union.

     However, God does not want us to be fearful of what is happening, but He wants us to trust Him.

     Luke 21:26 says: “Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

     Instead of grieving depressed because of losing a loved one and also guessing when Jesus will come back while also being fearful of what is happening, He wants us to have hope that one day, there will be no more pain, suffering, or death.

     Revelation 21:4 says: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Sincerely,

Samuel Reid