In this Painful Season

By Jill Krueger Wagner

Many times, when I’ve found myself in a difficult situation, I have asked God to show me how to navigate the circumstances in the light of Philippians 4:8. I would ask Him to show me what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy, given the events that have unfolded. So today, I came before Him and asked how do I find those things following the deaths of my mother, my son, and my friend in a short six months’ time?

What is true: God hates death – it’s reign over us in temporary.

Death is God’s enemy and will one day be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26).

The Devil came to kill, steal, and destroy but Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10).

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

What is noble:

Jesus wept, (John 11:35) so grieve honestly without pretense. Crying is not something to hide. Know that Jesus will bring good from this (Romans 8:28).

What is right:

We’re in the world, so we’ll have trouble but Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

The death of God’s saints is precious to Him (Psalm 116:15) Mom, Todd, and Linda all knew God and were, therefore, saints.

What is pure:

I don’t grieve without hope as the world does, (1 Thessalonians 4:13) but know I’ll see Mom, Todd, and Linda again. I shouldn't fear strong emotions. If Jesus wept freely, so can I.

 What is lovely:

Thoughts of no more pain for my loved ones, not focusing on my loss but on their gain. Mom had been bed-ridden for eight months – now she’s walking streets of gold. Todd was tormented as a targeted individual – now he’s walking with Jesus and the saints, enjoying freedom. Linda’s health was so bad that she had difficulty walking a few steps – now she’s not hindered at all by her body.

 What is admirable:

Not hiding my pain but not displaying it unnecessarily either.

 What is excellent:

To believe all God says about death.

 What is Praiseworthy:

Proceeding daily to do all God’s called me to do.