Hope to Endure

I regularly write for a blog that seeks to minister to parents who have suffered the loss of a baby due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  I have decided to post my articles here too on my blog.  I trust they are a blessing to you.  If you know of anyone whose family has been affected because of SIDS, would you kindly refer them to the ministry blog.   We seek to minister to all those we can and show that in God there is hope even in the midst of grief.  

“For I reckon the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  Romans 8:18

SIDS brings suffering to the hearts of family members touched by its sudden arrival.  It hurts.  It is unseen and nothing could prepare us for the void it leaves in our families for years to come.

When a child dies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome it causes the parents to feel vulnerable and uncertain of what the future holds for them or other children they have or may have in the future.

Sudden death brings sudden pain, sudden suffering.

 This verse is for us.  It serves as a reminder of sorts for hope when we are hurting.  It is a truth that was penned by the hand of God to hurting hearts.  Our hearts. 

God wants us to know that He sees our sufferings; and He wants us to remember that they won’t last; but there is more!  This truth gives us more than an assurance that pain, hurting and suffering will end.  It’s so much more than that!

It tells us how great Heaven will be; and it uses our sufferings as a compression of sorts that allows us to be able to identify just how great Heaven will be. 

As much as your heart is breaking right now – Heaven is SO MUCH greater than the deepest pain you have felt since your baby died.

Think about all of the times since your baby died that you have cried harder than you ever thought you could cry.  Heaven is so much greater than that.

Think about all of the times when you felt your heart would break and the loss felt to be more than you could physically handle.  Take all of that pain – Heaven is greater than that!

Think about how many times when you have relived the horror of that day.  Heaven is greater than all of the fear we have felt since that day.

So the next time the tears won’t stop – remember Heaven waits for us – and it is great!

The next time fear seems to paralyze you - focus on Heaven.    

Heaven awaits us and all the pain, suffering and heartache that we feel here will be gone.  Done. 

Heaven brings hope.  Hope that we can endure this heartache and pain.  Hope that God is right beside us.  He has not forgotten us. 

“Let not your heart be troubled… In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye will be also.”

And, when He takes us Home – the glory of what He has done in us will be greater than any heartache that was endured in this lifetime; and we will have forever and ever to thank Him for His working in our lives.

I think this verse serves as a reminder:  Don’t despair.  Don’t give up.  We have a blessed hope; and we’re not home, yet!