Living Free - January 18, 2016
Today's Scripture
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." - (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)
Thoughts for Today
Death. Something we all have to face. Sometimes it comes unexpectedly. But sometimes people know they are dying. As Christians, what are some things to remember when we are facing death?
Swiss psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D., has spent most of her professional career working with dying patients in Chicago hospitals. Her observations of the death of both the young and the old have yielded insights of inestimable value to both the dying and those who want to help them in the process. This week we will look at some of those insights(1) and at biblical promises that can bring us hope and peace no matter what the circumstances.
Consider this …
Denial is the initial stage of death a patient experiences when first informed of a terminal illness. Denial carries with it a shock, often accompanied by withdrawal or isolation. "No, it can't be me. . . . There must be some mistake. . . . You must have mixed my tests up with someone else's" are frequent responses in the denial stage.
Denial can be a useful defense mechanism because it is difficult for a person to move from feeling reasonably healthy at one moment only to be confronted with the realization of death as an approaching reality.
If you or someone you care about is facing death, comfort and courage can be found in remembering that Jesus is still with you, and his love is with you—even through death. "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life . . ."
Father, thank you for promising to love me in life and in death. Help me to remember that no matter what is happening around me or even within my body, nothing can separate me from your love. Jesus is my savior and I know that with death will come eternity with you. Help me focus on you. In Jesus' name . . .
(1) Kubler-Ross, Elizabeth (1969). On Death and Dying. New York: Macmillan.
These thoughts were drawn from …
Handling Loss and Grief: How to Face Losses in Life and Grieve Christianly by Raymond T. Brock, Ed.D. This study teaches participants what the Bible has to say about handling the losses of life. It offers biblical coping methods for facing loss.
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