The loss of a child is devastating! It goes against all of our expectations as parents. A child should be allowed the opportunities of life that we have enjoyed. Parents should never outlive their child!
Right now, it is unimaginable that you could ever recover from the pain you feel. Comfort evades you. Perhaps guilt plagues you as you wonder if you could have or should have done some things differently. Regardless of the efforts of your friends and loved ones, their words fail to mend your broken heart. Whether your loss was unexpected or something for which you prepared for some time, the pain is no more bearable. Words fail to express the hurt.
Perhaps the most vivid description was given many years ago when a wise man told a mother that would lose her son that “a sword shall pierce through thy own soul.”
How can anyone recover from such horrific pain? Where can help be found? If only you could find someone who understood your pain—one who experienced the agony you presently know; and, yet found the strength and comfort to go on.
The Source of One Family’s Hope
Truth is, many have been down the road of suffering you are currently traveling. In like manner, many of those people found the strength and courage to continue living. In fact, the Bible chronicles the life of one whose name was David (2 Samuel 12:15-23).
David and his wife joyfully anticipated the arrival of a child. No doubt the expectation increased with each passing moment. One day that anticipation turned to reality as they gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Their happiness, however, quickly turned to sorrow as they learned that their bundle of joy was deathly ill. David did what most would do; he prayed!
However, David could find no comfort. He was so distraught over the well-being of his child that he could not eat. Being around others became increasingly painful, and he could not so much as bring himself to be at home with his son. He was understandably broken!
After seven long and painful days, David’s son died. Everyone feared to tell David. What could they possibly say to help? If his son’s illness had been so difficult, how could he possibly bear the news of his boy’s passing? When David heard the whispers though, he gathered that his son was dead. How would he react?
To everyone’s surprise, David got up and put on a clean change of clothes. He returned to his home, sat down, and ate. Where did David find such inner strength? In awe of his ability to deal with the loss of his son, those around David inquired about his newfound strength. His response has become a source of comfort for many who have experienced the hurt you feel. David said, “now he is dead . . . can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23).
David’s strength was grounded in the hope of a reunion day—not that he would bring his son back to earth, but that one day he would go to his son. David understood that his son was now in the presence of a greater Father—one that could care for him and tend to him in a far superior manner than that of David and his wife. In love, David dared not to think to bring his son back to an earth filled with heartache, but desired rather to go to the blissful place where his son now dwelt. His son had gone on ahead, but David was resolved to reunite.
The Sympathetic God
David’s son was in the presence of the Almighty God, and yet, David’s son was in the presence of One who understood the pains involved in losing a son. As a matter of fact, God the Father would one day watch His own Son die.
You see, God understands your pain. Christ is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15). God knows the heartache of separation. He knows the pains of death. In fact, He has lovingly offered to care for your little one until such time as you can go to where he or she is. Until then, cast “all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Go “boldly unto the throne of grace,” and “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
