Last week was the 7th anniversary of Sean’s passing. 

In some of your eyes, I have seen the unspoken question, “How can you still believe in God, after this?” or “How can you still trust God after this?”   “If God is the all-powerful God you say He is, why didn’t He stop this, why didn’t He heal Sean?”   “You don’t really think Sean’s death was part of God’s plan—that God actually planned to take Sean home—do you?”

I know what motivated those questions—pain, (those of you who knew Sean, loved him, and his death brought searing pain)—and fear—(if God could take our child, will He take yours?)

Sometimes death is a relief– but when death comes unexpectedly and to one who is young and beloved, it brings devastation with it.   It is a reminder that we are not in control of our own lives—and it brings the question—is God really in control?   Don’t these things just happen?

I remember when my friend Becki Crain died, asking these same questions, wrestling with God, questioning and doubting Him.

Then again when Sean died, I did the same thing.   I somehow forgot all the ways God has worked in my life in the past, and all the times I have been immersed in His presence, and all the answers to prayers, and all the times He has provided for us and protected us.  My feelings went haywire—and I was bombarded by negative thoughts about God.  So here’s what I have done in those situations—

 I research again, the validity of God’s Word.  I start with researching whether or not Jesus rose from the dead– why?  Because I agree with the apostle Paul, when he says that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith is in vain.

Each time I have done this research, I have confirmed the truth of what happened.  Jesus did live, He did die, He did Rise from the dead—and He tells us that He is coming Again!!   I confirm the consistency and truth of His written Word, and the trustworthiness of His Word.

Therefore, I can take God at His Word.  These are some of the verses, I cling to:

“In this world, you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” John. 16:33

“Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer, supplication and thanksgiving, make your requests known to God, and God’s peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Philippians 4:6,7

“Everyone who hears my words and acts on them, may be compared to the man who built his house on the rock, and the rain fell, and the floods came and the winds blew and slammed against that house, and yet  it did not fall for it had been founded on the rock.”  Matthew 7:24,25

“All things work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

“I am convinced that neither life nor death, nor angels, or principalities, nor things present, or things to come, nor power, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will ever be able to  separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. ” Romans 8: 38,39

“Therefore we do not lose heart…..”2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

I don’t know all the answers.  I don’t know why Sean died.  I do know that God knows, and that is enough for me.  

I do know that I can trust this God, who came down to earth from Heaven and offered Himself up for me and offered Himself up for you, and that is enough for me.

I do know that this God loves me, and this God loves you, and that is enough for me.

God is enough for me.  God is enough for you.  Let’s be Encouraged!!

Much love,

Katie