Is we cannot change what happened!
Yesterday we were met with the tragic news that my nephew, Nathan had passed away. It was with shock and disbelief that we sat there and tried to absorb what they were telling us on the telephone. Struggling with inner demons the last years of his life robbed him of much of the joy he could have been experiencing. His mother is devastated, as all mothers are who experience burying a child. His sister is trying to be strong one in the family, but a song, or a phrase can break down all her defenses. When I say that this was tragic news that is exactly what I meant, because we cannot change what happened, and that is the tragic thing about it. Although, we do have the power to control how we relate to it.
People deal with tragedies in many ways, some with strength, and some let it devastate them. Some find comfort in the arms of Jesus, while others blame God for allowing the tragedy to happen. We humans always want to know the whys and the wherefores, in any given situation. We don’t like to take anything at face value, because we think we could have changed the outcome, and make it better. We are often unwilling to accept what has happened, thinking we have been cheated in some way by fate.
When my son died I went through a roller coaster of emotions trying to find the best way to deal with the reality I was living with. My safety net was the Scriptures that promised me that God knew exactly what I was going through, and he could make something good out of the horrible situation I was living through. And that is exactly what happened, people were led to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because of the tragic death of my son. Some came to the realization that life was too short to gamble with, others saw how the family dealt with the grief, depending on the strength that God gave us, and the knowledge that my son was in heaven.
It is my fervent prayer that through the tragic death of my nephew Nathan, others will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and accept the same precious gift of eternal life that Nathan received as a young man. While Nathan may have battled his demons which took him away from the will of the Lord, it never took him out of the Lord’s care. This knowledge is something that will give the family a great amount of comfort.
As parents it is our responsibility to give our children a firm foundation on which to build their lives. The Bible tells us to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. This is something Nathan’s parents did with much fervor, which gives them peace of mind knowing his eternal resting place is with his Heavenly Father. Can each of us say that we have given our children that same foundation?
We as authors have made it our mission to inform the world that there is help for people who are battling demons of all kinds, whether they be depression, addiction, multiple personalities, or post traumatic shock. Let us encourage all of you, not to hesitate in finding the help you need, and the Bible is the best place to start that search. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever should believe it’s on him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecclesiastics 3:4
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalms 147:3
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:1-3
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Philippians 1:3
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
I Thessalonians 4:14