--HOPE IN GRIEF ~~

--We do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death,
so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope."
---[1 Thessalonians 4:13] --

--As the cabbie drove us to London's Heathrow Airport, he told us his story. He had come alone to the United Kingdom at age fifteen, seeking to escape war and deprivation. Now, eleven years later, he has a family of his own and is able to provide for them in ways unavailable in his native land. But he laments that he's still separated from his parents and siblings. He told us that he's had a hard journey that won't be complete until he's reunited with his family.

Being separated from our loved ones in this life is hard, but losing a loved one in death is much harder and creates a sense of loss that won't be made be made right until we're reunited with them. When the new believers at Thessalonica wondered about such losses, Paul wrote, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope." (text)
He explained that as believers in Jesus, we can live in expectation of a wonderful reunion--together forever in the presence of Christ (v. 17).

Few experiences mark us as deeply as the separations we endure, but in Jesus we have hope of being reunited. And in the midst of grief and loss we can find the comfort we need in that enduring promise. (v.18).

--[-Friend, Jesus believes in you. Please never forget that. Come to the cross just as you are. There is no sin that He will not forgive. "Jesus loves you with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms." ]
--ODB/BC~

--"He Believes In You" // Danny Gokey // <https://youtu.be/JWzlXp0kup4>
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