GOOD GRIEF

    A patient (who's family were very devout Christians) died last night.  One of my enlightened coworkers (who always looks for something negative to say about Christians) made a comment to the effect of "if they really believe what they say, why are they so sad".  We've recently had a loss in our family.  My Nephew died about 6 months ago.  He was more a brother to me than a nephew.  His death pulled me apart at the seams.  It was a life shattering loss and it got me thinking.  If I am the Christian I say I am, why am I so distraught?
    When I came home from work this morning I didn't go to bed.  I went searching for answers to the pain in my heart.  I kept thinking that if I was truly the Christian I say I am then I wouldn't be having such a tough time with this, hence, I must be a hypocrite. 
    Thankfully I have found solace in the bible.  Paul discussed in Philippians the difference between a Christian and a Pagan when it comes to grief.  Non-Christians grieve at the sadness and remorse of loosing a person forever.  It is a hopeless despair that I hope I never feel. 
    Christian grief is attached to the nature of the loss.  Knowing our loved ones are with the lord lightens the burden but does not remove the experience of loss and loneliness.  Nor does it remove the knowledge of the great joys we shared on this earth with the departed one and that those times are now irretrievably gone.  Paul himself discusses in Philippians 2:25 how God had mercy on Paul by healing a friend from certain death ans saving Paul from the life shattering grief which I have felt.  Jesus himself wept at the death of Lazarus (John 11:35).  It is very comforting to me to know that Christ so identified with our humanities that he felt grief and sorrow the same as you or I would.   
    I now know that even though I look forward to that day when every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess I will hold still hold this pain in my heart.  It makes me no less a Christian.