06/17/11 THE TRAGEDY OF LOSING A LOVED ONE

06/17/11 THE TRAGEDY OF LOSING A LOVED ONE
(taken from my Promiselander's Musings)

Sometimes the loss of a loved one is the result of bad choices. Life is but a vapor. Do not lose that which is best by grasping that which seems to be good.

When Tragedy Strikes...
How sad when tragedy strikes a family. Consider these scenarios.

A loved one drives to the store to buy party favors to hand out at their child's birthday. On the way home a drunken driver plows into the side of the vehicle, killing the birthday boy sitting in the back seat. OH, THE TRAGEDY.

A long battle against a ravaging disease finally ends when a young parent slips into eternity. OH, THE TRAGEDY.

A brave young warrior is killed by "friendly fire" in a country that does not want him there, fighting for a political agenda he does not espouse, and which is contrary to American principles and heritage. He is brought home in a body bag days before we withdraw in shame. OH, THE TRAGEDY.

The heartache is indescribable and the scenarios are without number. Sometimes families never recover from such losses.

BUT CONSIDER THIS...
A family is undermined and relationships are shattered irretrievably because of a misunderstanding and false pride and suspicion and selfish anger and petty differences. Parent and child, siblings and fellow church friends are thrown to the curb and love is abandoned because someone rejects the way of Christ and good counsel is despised. The brief, but important moments of love, joy and spiritual unity with the most important people in our lives are cast away, like garbage on a refuse pile. OH, THE TRAGEDY.

Sometimes the tragedy is self inflicted. Though the tragedy is avoidable, some people are determined to embrace heartache, suffering and loss. Though failed relational tragedies are inescapable, some people are determined to rob themselves and inflict others with great sorrow by holding to their toxic attitudes. No amount of reasonable or emotional appeal or spiritual counsel turns a stubborn heart. OH, THE TRAGEDY.

We need the words of Malachi to be fulfilled in our society today.
Malachi 4:6
(6) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

We need to dwell together in unity. As the Psalmist said,
Psalms 133:1
(1) ...Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

We need to be of one mind, regardless of what the world says,
1 Corinthians 1:10
(10) Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

If we would hear and heed the words of Peter we would enjoy the blessings of God

1 Peter 3:8-12
(8) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
(9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
(10) For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
(11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
(12) For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould