Grieving the Loss of Family and Friends

By Patti Heinrich with Rose Rogers

We are living in the land of the enemy. Many senseless murders, accidents, wars, disasters, and diseases
take the lives of family, friends, acquaintances, neighbours and even pets the world over. Pain and
suffering, grief and loss face us in the news and chase us as we come in and go out. Fear, anxiety, and
depression pursue us and seek to overwhelm and disable us from our daily duties. Our hearts break
under the heavy load.
All bad things are temporary because we have this hope: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for
the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (Re 21:4-5 AV)
We will see our loved ones and our beloved pets again in the New Earth. Jesus is coming sooner than we
think! But that is future and we miss them now! We think of how much better life was before the loss
occurred and wish and long to undo the tragedy and have them back with us. We wonder why. In this
life it is not always possible for us to comprehend the answers that God tries to give us and comfort us
with. But here is a story of how He answered the whys and comforted a family in New Mexico over a
hundred years ago.
Patrocino and Rosaura Martinez were blessed with five children. In the winter of 1902 the youngest,
Manuel, toddled around adorably. He had fair skin, black hair and deep-blue eyes. But one day a
mysterious fever took the lives of all four of the younger children one after another. Rosaura fell into a
deep depression and sobbed continually, unable to care for herself, her seven-year-old daughter, or her
house. Patrocino begged for her to eat lest her unborn baby suffer too. But nothing and no one could
console her grief.
One night Patrocino dreamed that he was walking in an unfamiliar forest down a road. A shocking sight
startled him at his right. A young, handsome man hung dead on a scaffold in a little clearing. In horror
Patrocinio moved to take a closer look but did not recognize him. In his dream he turned away and
walked on down the road wondering if he might meet someone who could explain the tragedy. A noble
looking man approached him. Patrocino asked who had been hanged.
You did not recognize the man?
Patrocino frowned, No. Why should I?
The stranger led him back up the road to the scaffold. Look closely at his face.
As Patrocino gazed into his face a terrible realization struck him. Why this is the faceGod help me!
of my dear baby, my little Manuel!
The stranger spoke again. You are right. This is what would have happened to your son had he lived to
adulthood. You were spared a greater sorrow than the death of your children. I want you to go back to
your wife and tell her to stop grieving and eat. She needs to think of the child she is carrying. You are to
give him a religious name, for he will bring good to the world. Look to the future and the family you will
have. Do not weep for the past.
The stranger and the dream faded. Patrocino leaped out of bed and told Rosaura, who lay awake
weeping. The next morning she ate and resumed her household duties.

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When a son was born, they named their baby JoseGod shall add. God did add ten more children to the
family and all became strong spiritual leaders and bright lights in their communities. (See Three Angels
Over Rancho Grande by Viola M. Payne for the whole inspiring story of the Martinez family.)
The devil takes life prematurely by sickness, death, accidents, murders and war. But no matter how bad
the sin or how horrible the tragedy, God will work against the devils evil purposes. When Josephs
brothers begged his forgiveness, he said, But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it
unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Ge 50:20 AV) And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose. (Ro 8:28 AV)
All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. The things
hard to be understood will then find explanation. The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where
our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and
beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying.
As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, 286.
Satan was permitted to cut short the earthly life of God's messenger [John the Baptist]; but that life
which is hid with Christ in God, the destroyer could not reach. Colossians 3:3. He exulted that he had
brought sorrow upon Christ, but he had failed of conquering John. Death itself only placed him forever
beyond the power of temptation.
Though no miraculous deliverance was granted John, he was not forsaken. He had always the
companionship of heavenly angels, who opened to him the prophecies concerning Christ, and the
precious promises of Scripture. These were his stay, as they were to be the stay of God's people through
the coming ages.
God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from
the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Not
Enoch, who was translated to heaven, not Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of fire, was greater or more
honored than John the Baptist, who perished alone in the dungeon. Unto you it is given in the behalf of
Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29. And of all the gifts
that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and
the highest honor. The Desire of Ages, 224.
In the losses of our loved ones, we do not know how often we are being spared a greater sorrow than
their untimely death. God has promised: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1Co 10:13 AV) Because thou hast
kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon
all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Re 3:10 AV)
We do not know when the only way God can keep His promise to protect someone from temptations
too great for them to bear is to allow them to suffer death at a moment when their eternal life is sure. In
heaven we will know. We will have those answers. We will understand. For now, let us trust God who
doeth all things well.

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He doeth All Things Well

By Patti Heinrich
Dear _____ rests in Jesus,
[insert name of loved one.]
There is no better place.
If death must come then let him rest,
In Jesus, he is safe.

We simply do not understand

Why God allowed this day.
But if we could see as God can see,
Thered be no other way.
Wed choose this plan thats given us,
And so our praises swell.
God never leads us otherwise;
He doeth all things well.

There is no more temptation,

No sorrow, suffering, pain.
No more can he be victimized,
Or threatened with disdain.

All the Way

By Fanny J. Crosby
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell;
For I know whateer befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know whateer befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

And my soul a-thirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo, a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo, a spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me;
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Fathers house above,
When I wake to life immortal,
Wing my flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages,
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages,
Jesus led me all the way.

All the way my Savior leads me;

Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread;
Though my weary steps may falter,

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2016 New Life Mission Canada