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Naturally, as Christians, we have no need of fearing death. But why do so many people act like you can't be sad about death?
For example, when I was a teen, a man from my church died in a car wreck. The first thing my Sunday school teacher said to the family was "I'm so jealous - he beat me to heaven!" I'm sorry, but that's kind of heartless and it's not what the family needs to hear.
When I was in college, another car crash killed my pastor and the church pianist. They were the same age as my parents and I desperately wanted to tell my parents how much I love them (I think death always reminds us to let our loved ones know what they mean to us) but they were out of town so I couldn't reach them for a week. I cried a lot during that week, and my boyfriend at the time (who is a Christian) scolded me for it. "You shouldn't be sad," he said, "they are in heaven!" (the pastor and pianist - not my parents). That's also a harsh thing to say.
Why do we so often act like it's not ok to be sad about death?
Will we be reunited in heaven? Yes. Are they in a better place? Yes. Do we still miss them? Yes.
I think we forget that even Jesus cried when Lazarus was dead.
Thoughts? What do you feel our role is when comforting someone who's lost a loved one?
For example, when I was a teen, a man from my church died in a car wreck. The first thing my Sunday school teacher said to the family was "I'm so jealous - he beat me to heaven!" I'm sorry, but that's kind of heartless and it's not what the family needs to hear.
When I was in college, another car crash killed my pastor and the church pianist. They were the same age as my parents and I desperately wanted to tell my parents how much I love them (I think death always reminds us to let our loved ones know what they mean to us) but they were out of town so I couldn't reach them for a week. I cried a lot during that week, and my boyfriend at the time (who is a Christian) scolded me for it. "You shouldn't be sad," he said, "they are in heaven!" (the pastor and pianist - not my parents). That's also a harsh thing to say.
Why do we so often act like it's not ok to be sad about death?
Will we be reunited in heaven? Yes. Are they in a better place? Yes. Do we still miss them? Yes.
I think we forget that even Jesus cried when Lazarus was dead.
Thoughts? What do you feel our role is when comforting someone who's lost a loved one?