It happens frequently in our community of faith. People die. Old people do, but so do the young. Lost babies, cancer, car wrecks, other accidents and illnesses. So many die in ways that seem far too soon to us. And it hurts.

As spiritual leaders and people of influence in our churches, we are looked to as examples of how to grieve. We are expected to have words that matter as we speak into the lives of those in pain.

Like you, I do a lot of spiritual counseling and visiting with those losing people they love. Here are three things I share that I think we Christians absolutely have to believe and remind ourselves of. Three things I have to keep reminding myself. Three things I believe we need to be teaching before the fact.

We are dead people walking. We are aliens in this world. We are hope grievers.

We are already dead. Galatians 2:20 says we have been crucified with Christ so the life we live is one of faith in Jesus. Romans 6:3-5 talks of us being united with Christ in his death. We are dead. Death has been defeated, and it has no power over us. Resurrection matters.

We are strangers and aliens in this world while we long for a better home. Read Hebrews 11. This world is not our home. Most of us preach, teach, or read this yet live as if this world is of utmost importance. It is not. Believers who die are going to the finish line they have been running to for much of their life.

We must learn to be hope grievers. 1 Thessalonians 4 has the great resurrection hope passage. It tells us not to grieve as those who have no hope. Of course we grieve, but not for the one who has gone to be with the Lord. We grieve for us because we miss them here and have lots of things to work through. But we are hope grievers. We absolutely believe we will be together again.

We do believe Jesus is the way to God. We were crucified with Christ in our baptism. We live as dead people walking. We keep our eyes on the prize. And some of us cross the finish line sooner than many thought we would. But it is the finish line.

So I work to remind myself of these realities. I try to live these realities.

I am already dead. This world is not my home. And I am a hope griever.

Come, Lord Jesus.