“… you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so,
through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
It is good to mourn when a loved one dies, since death is horrible. It is the last enemy to be destroyed (1 Corinthians
15:26). Jesus Himself was weeping at the grave of a beloved friend. He did not try to hide his grief, or to suppress it. We don’t need to either.
But the good news is that death is not final for people who believe in Jesus. This last enemy will be destroyed! Therefore: “… you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” — that is, those who have died before Jesus returns.
For believers, dying actually is just ‘falling asleep’. As Jesus says: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). When believers die, they go to be with the Lord. And when Jesus returns to create the new earth, He will bring them with him.
When you are mourning a loved one, does this hopeful perspective comfort you?