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“Why Did My Cousins Die?”
For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
Sarah B. writes:
I can’t forget something that happened a long time ago. One of my cousins died about 9 years ago when she was just a teenager, and I was mad at God for the longest time. But I still did everything that a church-going girl would do.
Now this past January of 2008, my cousin who was just 20 years old died from a car crash.
Why did this happen to my family twice? Why, why, why? I don’t understand.
I saw the fruit (the good things) that came out of my cousin dying 9 years ago: It brought her whole family to know Jesus as their personal savior. But now what? Why did my other cousin have to die?
It is just pushing my aunt and uncle further and further away from God.
Why did these things happen?
Thanks for listening,
a girl with many questions that need to be answered
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on March 12th, 2008 and filed under Death, Sadness, Your Stories, Conversions, Struggles.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Sarah, thanks for sharing your heart. I’m sorry to hear about your cousins. I can’t imagine how hard that must be.
I’m glad you’re talking about your pain and confusion - from my experience, it’s better to talk about it than to keep it bottled up inside.
I don’t have any answers for you, but I send my love. May you feel God’s compassion and comfort, may you feel God’s tender embrace as you face and process through your pain and confusion.
Blessings to you, Sarah, and thanks again for sharing so bravely.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Sarah,
Your story truly touched my heart. First and foremost, I am so sorry for your loss. It is never an easy thing to loose a loved one. Know that my heart and prayers go out to you and your family. One thing that I feel moved to express is found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 55… that even though we try and often wish to know the mind of our God, we can’t. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. There have been times in my life that I know I have questioned God’s ultimate plan and still do at times… the bottom line is, He is in control and will guide us through these difficult times. In His grace and power He will look after your aunt and uncle, along with the rest of your family. He will never leave nor forsake you. Trust that. Trust that in His Word you can find comfort and solace and that as a child of God you can also bring that comfort to your grieving family. Be blessed…
March 12th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Dear Sarah B.:
I believe that your quotation is Psalm 22:24, and not 24:22.
“Why did these things happen?” I asked the same question in my life, too.
When my Better Half departed from our 10 children and me with a sudden massive heart attack when I was 49, I questioned him first: “Why didn’t you keep your promise to outlive me?”
Then I struggled for an answer: “Is this the way GOD operate?”
The words of Job rang in my ears: “… The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
In retrospect, naturally, I could not help my sense of guilt as to what I should have, could have and would have done to avoid the family tragedy. However fictional now, I could not shun certain personal responsibilities.
“GOD, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?…I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer, and by night, but I have no rest” (Psalm 22:1-3).
The Psalmist appeals to God in the agony of grief, but not in the misery of continuing doubt:
“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let our heart live forever!” (Psalm: 24:28).
This Song of Zion of Anguish and of Praise is, indeed, the startling cry of Golgotha, our Messiah:
The bystanders mocked.
But ” It is finished .” (John 19:30).– fulfillment.
In that hour JESUS’ sufferings ended. HIS GLORY OF SALVATION for us has begun, and could proclaim victory through suffering.
Thank you, and
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you and yours, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Dear Sarah, May the God of all comfort, bring much comfort to you in your time of grief and sorrow. I too had many questions about the why’s in my life; death, depression and loss of those close to my life. Even though God has yet to answer some of my questions, God has given me His peace, rest, hope and assurance, which I found to be better than the answers I had hoped for. During the time of sorrow, we must GO THROUGH the process of grieving. There will be anger, shock, confusion and the like, but as you continue to seek God, trust God and allow Him to transform your life, you will find peace and joy will return. I will pray for you as you walk THROUGH this process and come forth in His power and strength. May God’s love surround you with mercy and light.
Peace and blessings,
B. Michelle