Ministry Resources

Living Again: Overcoming the Pain of Death

Death is a cruel and heartless enemy. All of us deal with death at some time or another. Maybe you received bad news from a doctor. Or perhaps you are struggling to move forward after the death of a son, a daughter, or a spouse.

My Story

My biggest battle with death came when I was just a boy. My father faced a hopeless battle against cancer. Slowly, he was reduced from a giant of a man to someone who was frail and broken. His death left me empty, afraid, and bitter!

The perfect description of how I felt came the day we buried my father. It was a Saturday. The trip to the cemetery was on the same route that people were going to use for a parade just a few minutes after we passed. I sat in the back of the car with my family. We were all dressed in black. We mourned, but none of the people lining the streets for the parade were aware of what was happening to us, happening to me.

Children didn’t understand why the crowd hushed as the hearse passed. They didn’t know that I lost someone I loved. They held balloons in their hands. They had smiles on their faces. I felt empty and alone. Their world was happy. My world was ending.

You Are Not Alone!

Death does that to those left to mourn. Few people understand the pain, the loneliness, and the frustration you feel. They are smiling while you are crying.

But there is a God who understands our grief. The Bible tells us that the pain of death is caused by a world full of sin. God loves us so much that He created a way to overcome death. It was not easy. It cost God His one and only Son, Jesus.

There is Hope

Jesus paid the price of our sin once and for all. He broke the curse of death by rising from the dead three days after sinful people nailed him to a deadly cross. Because He rose from the dead, we have hope for new life: now and forever.

Nothing will change the fact that people die. But, death does not have to overpower us. We can begin to live again because of our relationship with Jesus.

It begins with a prayer:

“Dear Jesus, please help me find my way forward again. The grief I feel has hurt me so much! I need to find new life in You. Please forgive me for the wrong things I have done in my life. I choose to follow You. Thank You for breaking the power of death over my life. Help me to find hope and joy again. In Your name I pray. Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, please click the button that says: “Yes, I prayed.” We would love to hear your story.

What's Next

We would love to answer any question you have or help suggest next steps on your journey.