Death is not an easy thing to talk about. No matter what the age of the person whose loss we grieve, many questions remain unanswered. 'Why should death come so soon?' we ask, when someone young departs. 'Where is God? Couldn't He keep this person a little longer on earth?' we wonder. Every time I hear the news of somebody passing away, I look back at the year - 1986 - when I lost my younger sister in a road accident. My sister Angel was only 17 when she was taken away.
 
The separation was unbearable for all of us in the family. We cried inconsolably for two months.  When we looked around the house and saw her belongings, we would break down. When we walked into an empty home without her - and not finding her smiling face welcoming us - our hearts would rend in grief. 

But even in that situation, God gave us the grace to pray. We could only look up to Jesus for comfort and strength. One day, during our family prayer time, Jesus came into our midst. We felt His Holy Spirit fill us with a joy that only He can give. For the first time, since my sister's passing, we felt lighter in spirit. In the Bible, we find the words of Jesus: “I will come to you again and your sorrow will turn into joy." (John 16:20) What Jesus promises, He will always fulfil. While we continued in the state of prayer, the Lord Jesus spoke through my father, D.G.S. Dhinakaran, saying, "Angel is with Me. She is in the glory of heaven, where there is no pain or sorrow. I know you are burdened with grief having lost her. I am also crying with you. If I tell you the reason now, you will not be able to understand. But I want you to know that I have challenged Satan that you will still follow Me in the midst of this sorrow. Will you let Me down?” 
When we heard God speak to us like this, we said, “Lord, where will we go? Please give us the grace to totally trust You, without questioning. We know You love us and that everything works for good to those who love You. We know that one day we will come and see You and Angel in heaven."

From that day, we began to focus more on our ministry. We established Karunya University, Jesus Calls Prayer Towers, and SEESHA, a non-profit organisation to uplift the underprivileged across India.

It's true that the supernatural joy of the Lord fills every grieving heart that cries to Him. God is referred to as "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort". (2 Corinthians 1:3) The Lord Jesus Himself will comfort you just as He has said: “My peace I give unto you not as the world gives, but My peace I give unto you." (John 14:27)

When anyone is taken away at a young age, the answer to the bereaved can again be found in God's words: “The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil." (Isaiah 57:1) Yes, all of us must go one day. Life comes to an end on earth at some point. Yet, we see that there is a specific time for everything for as long as we live. And God makes everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11)

Keep trusting His word. The Lord Jesus knows what you are going through. He will guide you every step of the way and comfort you.

- Dr. Paul Dhinakaran