Would you...could you?

[NukePooch]

No poll on this one...just think about it.

On Sat, Feb 19, a worship leader of the church I used to attend had a... (can't find the words)

The family's 13y/o daughter had been sick most of the week with a fever, etc. On Saturday, almost without warning, she died. As you could try to imagine (I can't), it was/is/will be a terrible blow to the family.

Visitation was Tues and Wed, with the funeral on Thursday.

Here's the point of this thread: Wed night, the family started an impromptu worship service at the funeral home. For more than 45 minutes, they sang praises and played guitar to the Glory of God.

Here's what's been on my mind. I don't have kids, but...if I did, and if one died, would I be able to do what they did? Would I be so passionately and hopelessly sold-out to God that in the midst of the most incredible pain and agony I'd ever experienced that I could praise God with everything I am?

I hope no one who reads this ever has to go through that kind of pain. I don't believe it's possible to know for sure what you are until you go through something like that. Yeah, I can say that "Sure, I would..." but could I?


YouTube - Casting Crowns-"Praise You In This Storm" (live)


Praise You in This Storm- Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

 

[NodMyHeadLikeYeah]

i wouldnt..... and i couldnt......

 

[Jullianna]

I can't even BEGIN to imagine losing a child.... The day you become a parent is the day you discover your greatest vulnerability.

 

[jangel]

Unless you have faith on this verse... the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and mind in Christ Jesus... no one will understand why people despite of any painful circumstance, still they're able to praise God.


It’s accepting the fact that all of us are just passersby in this world and if we lose someone we loved, they’re only ahead of us.


My cousin was just buried two days ago, he died in an accident at age 19. It was really a painful moment for the family. Only God knows how long we will stay in this world but I will never be sorry for those people who spent their lives for God, rather I'm happy for them that finally they can rest though it hurts.

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[grace]

Nuke, that is a crazy amazing story!
It certainly takes a big LONGGGGGG look past yourself to be able to praise in such a time as that.

You have brought up such an interesting thing here, because many, many of us on here say on a regular basis, "God is the CENTER of who I am." Christ is the CORE of my life."
I would like to think that if inimaginable pain such as losing one of my children struck my life and my center was shaken or my core became cracked that my focus would not be so far shifted that I could not quickly return to that place of praising Him for His faith in me to begin with for entrusting me with that child for the time that He did, and for letting us having the memories we have to carry forever. BUT, to be in a place of being able to do that at the viewing? Whew!

I have heard this said of being a mother, that when you become a mother, you should be prepared for your heart to walk around outside your body. (I would imagine the same could be said for fathers as well.)

Anyway, That is a very powerful story that has caused me much introspection since I read it last night. Thanks for shareing.

Blessings.

 

[Lalilo]

Thank you for making me think about this. I would be heart broken but wouldn't ask God why.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I would probably be too hurt to praise. I'd probably be questioning God's existence and wishing for the world to just disappear. Its almost too soon to praise God because then it might look like you are thanking God for the child's death. I believe that everyone needs a time of mourning and that this almost immediate praise might be a sign of denial.

 

[hikerki]

Grace brought up something that is so true...[You have brought up such an interesting thing here, because many, many of us on here say on a regular basis, "God is the CENTER of who I am." Christ is the CORE of my life.]. I am not a parent and cannot imagine doing what they did. That is an amazing trust and faith in God. I have learned that if you place your meaning or purpose in anything that is not eternal (God), then your meaning or purpose in life can be stripped away from you without warning. Personally for me, and maybe for others, I said and believed "God is the center of who I am.", but I found out that I didn't TRUST it. I think there is a difference between believing and trusting. Trusting puts belief into action. It sounds like this family has an amazing trust in God that I admire. I still do not think that I would or could have their same reaction of praising God after the death of a child, parent, or sibling...especially with it so unexpected. Thank you for sharing Nuke.

 

[thimsrebma]

I think that they didn't realize that would happen either. You said it was impromptu. Thats what the Holy Spirit can do for people who are truely filled. Even in your darkest hour, He is there and will show Himself. So I ppray for all of us that we be filled with His Spirit, constently refueling thru prayer, worship, praise, study and fellowship so that when we go thru the fire we can still give Him all the glory.

 

[zeroturbulence]

With all due respect to other posters, I disagree with those who say that these parents must be so faith filled that they can sing praise right after their child's death. A perfect example is Job. He lost his children and his faith was perfect, absolutely perfect, yet he could not even speak for days. He did eventually praise God but not after several days of pure anguish.

Of course this is my opinion but I do feel there is something not right about singing impromptu praise right after your child's death.

 

[NukePooch]

With all due respect to other posters, I disagree with those who say that these parents must be so faith filled that they can sing praise right after their child's death. A perfect example is Job. He lost his children and his faith was perfect, absolutely perfect, yet he could not even speak for days. He did eventually praise God but not after several days of pure anguish.

Of course this is my opinion but I do feel there is something not right about singing impromptu praise right after your child's death.

Note verse 19 to verse 20...sure sounds immediate (or close to it) to me...

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans[c] raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across[d] the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:

“ Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

You were probably thinking of this passage...

2:11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. 12 And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.
3:1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.

Two different reactions from Job here...like there were from my friends. They had two evenings of visitation with the funeral the following day. First visitation day was solemn, the second was more worshipful.

It's impossible to say what exactly is in the hearts of those who worship the Lord so soon after a tragedy...I've known these people for years, and I feel that they're the real thing. However, my point in the thread was to get people to think...if your thoughts AREN'T of God during a tragedy, there's probably a problem.

 

[seoulsearch]

I have witnessed one case in which people who claimed to be devoutly Christian lost an adult child... They said God is Sovereign and makes His decisions for a reason... kept up the good Christian front.

Then went on to accuse her boyfriend of murder, even though he was at work at the time, and part of the reason she passed away is because she refused to take her prescription medication--she had it and could afford it but opted not to take it. The police never even took up the case, since there was absolutely no implication or evidence that the boyfriend had anything to do with her death.

Her parents were obviously shocked, grieving, and deeply angry. They just thought it would be better to direct it at a person instead of God.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Note verse 19 to verse 20...sure sounds immediate (or close to it) to me...

“ Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

But this was said in anguish as Job was dealing with his pain and trying to accept God's will while facing his terrible fate. That isn't the same as pulling out a guitar and singing a song.

 

[NukePooch]

But this was said in anguish as Job was dealing with his pain and trying to accept God's will while facing his terrible fate. That isn't the same as pulling out a guitar and singing a song.

Hmmm...I think it could be the exact same. People respond in different ways. If a musician plays and sings to God's glory, or Job responds by worshipping and saying "Blessed be the name of the Lord", or an artist paints to the glory of God, or a writer writes, how are those things any different? How is one right and one wrong?

 

[NukePooch]

I have witnessed one case in which people who claimed to be devoutly Christian lost an adult child... They said God is Sovereign and makes His decisions for a reason... kept up the good Christian front.

Then went on to accuse her boyfriend of murder, even though he was at work at the time, and part of the reason she passed away is because she refused to take her prescription medication--she had it and could afford it but opted not to take it. The police never even took up the case, since there was absolutely no implication or evidence that the boyfriend had anything to do with her death.

Her parents were obviously shocked, grieving, and deeply angry. They just thought it would be better to direct it at a person instead of God.

I wonder if they ever apologized to him? Or...do they still blame him?

I never understood that mindset...to not be honest with yourself about what you're feeling...if you're angry with God, then talk to Him about it. Don't redirect it elsewhere... It's like people are (consciously or unconsciously) trying to hide from God...and of course that never works.

 

[seoulsearch]

To my knowledge, yes, they still blame him, and most likely always will. The guy I'm speaking of was an ex-boyfriend so I got to see a lot of it up close. Very, very ugly, and probably not much better still today.

My thoughts are always:

1. God knows what I'm thinking. I'd better tell Him instead of hiding. Adam and Eve tried to hide, and though God called to them, "Where are you?", it's important to note He didn't really have to ask!!!

2. If I can't talk to God about what's bothering me, who could I possibly talk to? Sure, it doesn't stop me from being mad sometimes, but I'm sure I get through it a lot more efficiently by telling God about it rather than compartmentalizing it into, "Eh, not something to bother God with, I'll handle it on my own." God tells us to cast ALL our cares on Him. Not just the pretty ones or the easy ones or the conveniently pious-looking cares... but ALL of them--good, bad, ugly, and unmentionable.

I'm sure there are people out there who can genuinely praise and worship through any tragedy and completely mean it--I wish I had even an ounce of their faith for myself--but what bothers me is when people say, "Oh, I've NEVER been mad at God," but they are OBVIOUSLY mad at a whole lot of other people...

 

[zeroturbulence]

Hmmm...I think it could be the exact same. People respond in different ways. If a musician plays and sings to God's glory, or Job responds by worshipping and saying "Blessed be the name of the Lord", or an artist paints to the glory of God, or a writer writes, how are those things any different? How is one right and one wrong?

I just feel that Job's worship was strictly to demonstrate to God that he still remained 100% obedient, whereas singing songs of praise to me is like saying, "hey lets all have some fun!" Maybe I'm misinterpreting it, but since I wasn't there and I don't know these folks I have to go with my general interpretation.

 

[thimsrebma]

With all due respect to other posters, I disagree with those who say that these parents must be so faith filled that they can sing praise right after their child's death. A perfect example is Job. He lost his children and his faith was perfect, absolutely perfect, yet he could not even speak for days. He did eventually praise God but not after several days of pure anguish.

Of course this is my opinion but I do feel there is something not right about singing impromptu praise right after your child's death.

Well it wasn't immidiately after shed died it was during a funeral service which probably was about a week later.

Also
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I am not saying I always do this immediately but it does hit me at some point that even in tough times God is there and will see me thru the situation and He has allowed that situation to happen for a reason.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Well it wasn't immidiately after shed died it was during a funeral service which probably was about a week later.

Ok I thought it was only two days after. I didn't work out the dates and just went by what NP said about whether he'd be able to sing praise during as he put it, "in the midst of most incredible pain and agony".

 

[NukePooch]

Well, there's no right and wrong here, as long as it's done to the glory of God...

If worship is all about fun, then it would be better to just sing secular songs instead...worship is supposed to focus your mind and heart on God. To sing worship without actually worshipping God is hypocritical.

The girl died Sat night, and the worship was Wed night. To me, it's even more amazing that it wasn't at a later time frame...that it did happen so soon. If the family worshipped 3 months after the death, I never would have mentioned the story...but three days? I think it's awesome.
This just popped into my head, about King David.

2 Samuel 12:13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” 15 Then Nathan departed to his house.
And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. 16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!”
19 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?”
And they said, “He is dead.”
20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”
22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”