Hope In Eternity

The sorrow and sadness of living without Jonathan sometimes seems too much to bear. I have lost the spiritual leader of my home, the love of my life, my best friend, and the one in which I confided the most here on Earth. That void seems hopeless at times during every day and during every week. I know that there are many who are suffering with me. I wanted to share some scriptures that if we let them, can give us hope of a better day and life . . . not here on this Earth, but in Heaven if you are a believer. We have to keep in mind the eternal side of this. We do not belong in this world. We are of another, better, not full of sin, beautiful world. If we don’t think on these things, I think at least for me, I will lose sanity. I hope that at some time, these scriptures can be comforting to those of us who are grieving.

*For when I am overwhelmed thinking about what Jonathan went through . . . and for what we are suffering through now . . . and for when I feel like his death was in vain and that nothing good can come from this for the glory of God . . .

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed but in that name let him glorify God. I Peter 4:16

Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. I Peter 4:19

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy, meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

*For when I need hope of a better day that I will not be without Jonathan and will be forever with the One who died for me . . .

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

So that the proof of your faith, being much more precious than of gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Come now, you who say “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet, you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:13-14

*For when the grief, sorrow, sadness, and the future become too much for me to consider . . .

And he has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. II Corinthians 12:9

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

*For when I think I can’t take another step, I can’t say another word, I can’t live another day (I have learned from reading Dr. Frank Cox’s Trusting God’s Heart that temptation=a putting to proof by adversity). . .

Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:12-13

*For when I am scared of forgetting the life I had with Jonathan, scared of presently living without Jonathan, and scared of the future without Jonathan . . .

Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you! I Peter 5:6-7

When you pass through the waters I will be with you and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you will not be scorched nor will the flame burn you. Isaiah 43:2

The eternal God is our Refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms and He drove out the enemies from before you and said “Destroy!” Deuteronomy 33:27

Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:25-26

*For now when my heart is utterly shattered and when I feel like my life is forever ruined . . .

The righteous cry and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near for the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers them out of them all. Psalm 34:17-19

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake. Psalm 23

*For when I feel utterly alone . . .

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

*For when I can’t make sense of the situation and can’t understand why this happened . . .

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

~I also wanted to share with you that based on the work that God allowed Jonathan to complete on his blog, a man from Alabama is now part of the Kingdom of God. I was able to speak with him on the phone about Jonathan and about how Jonathan is no longer here on Earth with us, but he is in Heaven because He trusted Jesus to take away his sin. This man prayed with me on the phone and told Jesus that he wanted to put his trust in Him as well. Praise God! This man knows now that when he dies he will be with Jesus in Heaven!