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. 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 Thess. 4:13-14).

The most powerful Christian testimonies don’t usually come from “easy street” but are instead brought about by serious heartache. One such story came after the tragic passing of a young woman of faith. After she died, her aged father felt that there was little left in life for him.

But, then, this faithful woman’s recent words of hope in a heavenly future with a reunion of loved ones began to fill his mind. Simple, unplanned conversations with his daughter about her understanding of God’s promises would replay in the father’s mind.

Though she was with the Lord, her ministry to him was still alive, echoing in the hope that her father began to share. He discovered profound comfort in the assurances of heaven’s promises. Faith in these truths that God had so graciously planted in his heart through those past conversations with his daughter restored hope and meaningful life for the father – and for those his life now touches.

The beauty of our testimonies of grace can never be fully assessed until we are with the Lord. There we will see how the Lord uses us beyond all our expectations and, perhaps, beyond our lives to replace ashes of tragedy with new life and eternal hope.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you that there is hope beyond the grave – restoration of our bodies, our hearts, and our relationships! May my life be a testimony to others of heaven’s promises so that they can share in this eternal hope.