Tug-of-war Between Joy And Grief

Tug-of-war Between Joy And Grief

I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, LORD, for you are a faithful God. Psalm 31:5

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat or stood at the bedsides of my patients as they’ve taken their final breath here on earth. Each time it happens, I’m aware that I’m standing on holy ground.

In those final moments, life and death is a bit like a game of tug-of-war. On one side is a tangible but ailing body with a family who doesn’t want to let go. On the other side is heaven with a spiritual body that is free from sickness and disease, and a Savior with outstretched arms, waiting to welcome the patient to his or her forever home.

Knowing what I know of eternity makes it easy to reassure my patients that it is okay to let go of the rope that ties them here so they can run freely into the arms of Jesus.

At the same time, I know that God breathed into us and gave us life here on earth. We should desire to enjoy every breath we have left.

When it comes to the tug-of-war between earthly life and eternal life, I’ve noticed that the patient often has an easier time letting go of the rope and slipping to the other side than the family who is left behind does. Even after the patient puts down the rope, the family wants to keep tugging, hoping their loved one will return.

The birthing of a new soul into heaven is a special time of joy, but it is also a time of grief. When the tug-of-war between earthly life and eternal life ends, the emotional tugs between joy and grief begin. The grief is just as important as the joy. It is a real emotion for real times that we all experience in this broken world.

TODAY’S RX

Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus. When the time comes to lose a loved one, so will we. But we also know that there is joy for our loved one on the other side of the veil.

Father, thank you for the gift of life. Help me to make the most of mine and be a shining light to the world.