No Words…

When it comes to the death of a child. I often have no words. To be honest, I’m not sure if anyone could ever get over such a tragedy, at least not for quite some time. As a minister, I have known those who have lost a child, even a member of our own family, and all I can say is – I have no words. At least not right away.

I remember a former member from our church whose young daughter died in the hospital during a procedure. Her mother to this day still struggles, and rightly so. I remember one day when this person asked to go for a walk, and during our conversation, she asked Why? I believe that is the number one question that any parent would have. Why? As we continued our walk, I did the best I knew how in trying to ease her pain, and the main thing that came to mind at the time was to try and help her focus on her 3 beautiful young children. I had no other answers at the time. But who am I? How would I know how to respond? As our walk continued I realized, that was not the answer she was looking for.

The truth? I do know the answer. I know where death originates from. I know exactly who is behind it. But, when after a child dies, and I’m asked why, I never feel like it’s the right time to give them the answer. My reason? Because many are not ready for that answer, nor would they understand. Most are in great mourning and many are angry at God. But He is not the reason as most think.

Recently, as I received a message from a mother whose son died months ago, and based on what she said, I decided to write this blog, in efforts to answer the question: Why? Jesus is very clear as to “why” evil happens in this earth. To begin with, I must lay the foundation as to why and who the real source is, and it’s found in John 10:10 where Jesus himself provides the answer, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I have come, that you might have life and life more abundantly.”

We live in an imperfect world, and the scriptures teach that the enemy (Satan) is the “god of this world,”  2 Corinthians 4:4, and will have no place in the world to come – the Kingdom of God.

Keep in mind that confusion comes in when we blame God. Why? Because that’s all most of us has ever known. Most churches do not teach that there is an enemy – instead, they teach that God is doing it. This is not true. The scriptures teach, “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17 NLT. Another says there is no evil in God, “”The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!” Psalm 92:15 NLT. 

Jesus is the Son of God come in the flesh. In short, God came to earth in the form of a man. When we look at the Life of Jesus, we see God at work. Jesus who always went about doing good, never said that death or sickness was the result of God. Acts 10:38 says, “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” 

In my new book: Love Awakens, there is a chapter titled, Red, and in this chapter, the Lord gave me an analogy by using the story of, Little Red Riding Hood –  by Charles Perrault. The following is an excerpt of that chapter: As I read his story, I was surprised to find that there was a distinct connection between real life and our walk with the Lord. I’m not sure if the author had any spiritual intent with his story, but as I read it, I saw how closely related it is to life today – the innocence of humanity, the Wolf and his relation to who Jesus refers to as the thief, her mother’s instruction and its relation to God’s word, and the Woodsman, who of course represents Jesus – Saving both Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother.

Where I believe my strength lies when it comes to counseling those who have lost a loved one –  is when the individual is ready for answers, when they’ve decided its time to move away from their anger, pain and are ready to heal and gain some peace.

I know that losing a parent of old age does not come close to the death of child – but one thing the Lord helped me to transition from pain and the threat of depression – was to, and these are His words, “Only remember the good.’ I believe with God’s help – with his ability to “heal the broken hearted…” (Psalm 147:3) – one can one day get to the place of peace and only remembering the good.