Hope in Grief

Paul writes the following to the church at Thessaloniki.   "13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 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
Watch "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" and you will see what it looks like to grieve with no hope.  This is a movie which came out a few years ago starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.  Or perhaps watch the episode of Glee where Cory Monteith (Finn) dies and you will see what grief with no hope is like.  However, for the person who trusts Christ grief has hope.  Why?  The Grave is Empty.  We don't have to go around and grieve with no hope.  To trust Christ is to find life, true life both now and in death.  Death was defeated that first Easter.  The Resurrection changed everything!!!
So what does this look like?  Perhaps you have lost a child, a parent, a grandparent and you are filled with grief.  You know they had a relationship with Jesus but the shock and pain of death has been too much.  Sometimes we need to see a story in order to help us with our story.   If you click on this link it will take you to a video.  Zac Smith was a Staff member at New Spring Church in South Carolina.  He battled cancer and lost.  He leaves behind a wife and 3 kids.  This a 20 minute video but I hope it will help you to see a follower of Jesus grieve with hope.  http://newspring.cc/blog/stories/the-smiths   
May God help us as we understand eternity and grieve as people who have hope because Christ is Risen!!
Pastor Ed