Finding Comfort in the Midst of Suffering and Loss

(This post is inspired by Cliffe Knechtle's talk, which addresses the profound and personal struggles of dealing with loss and the comfort found in the presence of God. You can watch the full talk on YouTube for more insights.)

Life has a way of confronting us with the harsh reality of suffering and death. I remember when my mother passed away. It was a hard reality to confront. Why she would be taken away from us so soon. Why not a few more years to enjoy with family and rest in her old age. Questions abound. It's an inescapable truth that we all face, yet as Christians, we hold onto the hope of an ultimate solution: eternal life with Jesus. A place where there will be no more stillbirths, no more cancer, no more heart failure, and no more children lost in tragic accidents. This eternal life is spent in the presence of God, where pain and suffering are no more.

Coping with Loss and Anger

Loss is never easy, and coping with it can be incredibly challenging, especially when it's sudden and tragic. In a heartfelt moment from Cliffe Knechtle's talk, a man shared about losing his 18-year-old brother in an accident, a loss that still reverberates through their lives. They experience good days where they share his story and the gospel, but also very bad days filled with anger and pain.

Cliffe's advice is first and foremost to acknowledge that this pain stinks. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15, "Death is the last enemy." We do not have to accept death as a natural part of life without resistance. That's why we invest in healthcare, fund hospitals, and seek cures—because we value life, as Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it to the full."

Be Honest and Patient with Each Other

The key to navigating such difficult times is honesty and patience. The man who shared his story was open about his pain and the anger that sometimes arises. He has been vulnerable, and in response, we must be patient and loving with one another. Difficult days and emotions will come, and it's in these moments that we need to stand by each other, offering our presence and support.

Cliffe shared his personal experience of loss when his seven-year-old niece was tragically killed in a car accident, which he described as the most difficult day of his life. As he walked with his brother, a transplant surgeon, around a field behind his home, he listened to the raw grief of a father who had lost his daughter. Cliffe emphasized that if anyone thinks there’s an easy answer to such pain, they are mistaken. Sometimes, the honest response is, "I don't know." We don't know why accidents happen or why God allows certain events, but we can commit to being patient and loving toward each other as we navigate the pain.

Comfort Through Presence

In times of loss, what truly comforts us is not just answers or explanations but presence. The presence of family and friends is crucial, but even more so is the presence of God. This is where faith becomes profoundly personal. It's about knowing that God is with us, even when we're hurting. Cliffe, now 70 years old, shared that he is still striving to know God's presence in deeper ways, especially during tough times.

The reality of doubt and struggle, as seen in the life of Mother Teresa, should not be dismissed as a lack of faith. Depression, loneliness, and life's blows can shake us, but they also invite us to seek Christ more earnestly. Philippians 3:10 says, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering." Our God is not distant from our pain—He is a suffering God who experienced the ultimate suffering on the cross. Think about that ffor a moment - A God who suffered. That's Jesus! He knows what we are going through and is able to help us during these dark times. This connection makes our faith not just a set of beliefs but a relationship with a God who truly understands our struggles.

The Ultimate Solution

Ultimately, the Christian hope is that there is a solution to all suffering and death—eternal life with Jesus. In this life, we will face good times and hard times, as the man grieving his brother is experiencing. But as followers of Christ, we look forward to a time when all suffering will end. No more cancer, no more accidents, no more loss. In the presence of God, all will be made right. I too will be able to see my mother again guaranteed by the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and that same Spirit of Jesus now lives in me.

In moments of despair, when confronted with the harsh realities of life, the response isn't to shake our fists at God in anger but to lean into His presence. Whether it's a hospital room or the bedside of a terminally ill child, we can offer comfort not because we have all the answers but because we know a suffering God who cares deeply for us.

Jesus Christ is the solution to the very real problems of suffering and death. He invites us to bring our pain to Him, knowing that in Him, we have hope beyond this life. This is the comfort we hold onto—the promise of a future where all suffering is no more.