Hurtful Things Christians Say: God Needed Your Loved One
Death and the sorrow experienced by those left behind after the loss of a loved one is painful beyond measure and words. Yet from a genuine desire to provide meaning and comfort, many Christians have told those who mourn that “God needed your loved one.” What is received is that our bond to and love for the deceased was not sufficient, and that God overrode our pleas for God’s own union with our loved one. We must be careful not to insinuate that God plays a part in bringing death, especially when Jesus clearly uses his earthly ministry to bring life: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Come and learn a different way of comforting those who mourn, and making sense of death. Perhaps together we can be vessels of God’s healing, hope, and comfort for those who mourn. Associated Scripture: John 11:20-44