“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV)
Grief and hope can live in the same heart.
To remember someone you’ve lost is to honor the love that still lingers. It’s okay to miss them. It’s okay to cry. And it’s also okay to smile at the memories, to laugh at the stories, and to feel joy again.
As believers, we grieve—but not without hope. We hold onto the promise that death is not the end. That in Christ, there is reunion. There is restoration. There is eternal life.
Hope doesn’t erase the pain, but it gives it purpose. It reminds us that love endures, and that God is still writing the story.
A Gentle Practice:
Create a small ritual of remembrance. Light a candle. Write a letter. Visit a place that reminds you of them. As you do, whisper this prayer:
“Lord, thank You for the gift of their life. Help me to remember with hope, not despair. Hold my heart as I hold their memory.”
You are not betraying your grief by living with hope. You are honoring it. And you are walking forward with Jesus, one step at a time.
With tenderness and trust,
Sherry