Friends' Favorite - Just to Be Clear

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT

I am writing this out with the hope of helping. I'm no great theologian. I just try to discover the Truth of things based on God's Word. So, this is for those I love who are following Christ, but who have lost or are losing someone they love. 

The Bible does NOT say you won't grieve or that you shouldn't grieve (as some will try to tell you); the Word simply states that we will not grieve like people who have no hope. There IS a difference. Christians aren't superhuman. We aren't perfect. We're forgiven. We're redeemed. We grieve when we lose someone we love, but because of what Christ did, we have hope in this life and for after. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Free us from the deceptive subtleties of the enemy to kill, steal and destroy our lives. Give us a fresh vision of eternity with You. Remind us of the hope we have in You. And please comfort as only You can, the hearts and minds of those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen