Sorrow Without Fear

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I think I ought to send my dear friend Epaphroditus back to you. He is a follower and a worker and a soldier of the Lord, just as I am.  You sent him to look after me, but now he is eager to see you.  He is worried, because you heard he was sick.  In fact, he was very sick and almost died.  But God was kind to him, and also to me, and He kept me from being burdened down with sorrow.

Philippians 2:25-27

The Philippian Christians sent Epaphroditus to be with Paul while he was in prison.  But while Epaphroditus was there he got sick and almost died.  

Paul admitted that if his friend had died, he would have been burdened down with sorrow.  

If the "great" Apostle Paul considered the death of someone close to him to be a sorrowful burden, I should not assume it would be any different today.

As followers of Jesus we should not grieve as those who "have no hope."  But death is a separation that cuts off communication with someone we love until the day we cross over to be with Jesus forever.

According to Paul, sorrow is a burden.  We must bear each other's burdens, especially sorrow as we wait for His coming or our going!  

When someone you love dies, the pain in your heart is not a part time problem.  When you wake you are immediately reminded of the absence of your loved one.  And all through the day and night you can feel the pain and sorrow!

Jesus doesn't always take away the grief and pain, but He does remove the fear of death and the prospect of what comes after!  Life without grief and pain is not a promise of God, but life without fear is!  The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear!

"Lord Jesus, thank You for assuring all your followers that even during a time of pain and grief, because of Jesus we have nothing to fear!  Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever, Amen!"