13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words."
1 Thess. 4:13-18
We will be with the Lord forever! How exciting, how can we not be filled with joy, at the prospect and promise of being with our Lord/Bridegroom/King/Father for eternity? I am filled with gladness and peace because I know with all certainty that whether I go to "sleep" or my body is still alive on the earth when the Lord returns that I will be with Him. In light of this, why should we fear death? I do not, we should not.. It's a homecoming, so look forward and upward to the moment we cross the finish line in this marathon we call life. Our real lives are ahead of us, after our time in our temporary homes, our bodies, is through, and it will be glorious. So when you have a difficult day, or are going through hard things, look ahead. You are one day closer to home.
Maranatha!
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