Home > Crossway Blog > Death & Dying Category

Archive for the ‘Death & Dying’ Category

Finding Hope in the Face of Cancer

Suffering is a direct result of Adam and Eve’s sin. Because of their disobedience, the world has been subjected to futility. But this futility exists “in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).

Cancer is a terrible affliction and reminder of this futility. But the suffering that comes with cancer has a double meaning. It means that sin is horribly painful, but it also means that glorious freedom is coming. The pain of disease is a reminder that a new creation is in the works, suffering the fire of the forge before emerging as a beautiful and complete masterpiece.

During the anguish brought by cancer, Christians must find comfort in the Lord rather than the calculation of odds and treatment. This hope and peace provides a tremendous opportunity for witness in the face of suffering and futility.

Excerpt modified from Don’t Waste Your Cancer.

February 24, 2011 | Posted in: Books,Death & Dying,Disease & Sickness | Author: Crossway Staff @ 1:00 pm | 0 Comments »

Posted in Books, Death & Dying, Disease & Sickness | No Comments »

Answering End of Life Questions

Most people want to end their lives well. How exactly does one finish well? What does a “successful” end look like? John Dunlop, a physician of over thirty years, has come up with some strategies for a successful end of life answering questions and addressing fears that people may have along the journey.

  • Live Well- What purpose can my life have in old age? How can I build deeper friendships as I age? What things detract from finishing life well?
  • Let Go Graciously- How do I give up the things of this world? Does that mean I cannot enjoy God’s gifts? Is it okay to feel sad about letting go?
  • Grow through Adversity- Is it possible for suffering to accomplish good? Does our understanding of God impact our response to suffering? How should we respond when we hurt?
  • Complete Your Agenda- Can I have peace with myself when I die? What needs to be done to bring closure with loved ones? How can my family be stronger when I’m gone?
  • Rest in Jesus- What should we expect as death approaches? How do we handle death when its messy? What can loved ones do for the dying? Can we simply rest in Jesus?

Finding faith-based answers to these questions helps provide the spiritual and emotional preparation that the end-of-life requires. The approach of death does not have to be a painful, panicky battle against the inevitable. Rather, it can be a peaceful time of awaiting rest in the arms of a loving Savior.

Excerpts modified from Finishing Well.

| Posted in: Books,Death & Dying,Disease & Sickness,Hope | Author: Crossway Staff @ 8:46 am | 0 Comments »

Posted in Books, Death & Dying, Disease & Sickness, Hope | No Comments »

Nancy Guthrie on Facing Death with Courageous Confidence in God

Justin Taylor interviews Nancy Guthrie on her new compilation called O Love that Will Not Let Me Go. Guthrie’s new book helps readers re-think how to view and handle the reality of death with courageous confidence in God. In the video below Guthrie discusses the project, why she compiled it, how it affected her, and how she thinks it can be used:

February 16, 2011 | Posted in: Author,Books,Death & Dying,Disease & Sickness,Video | Author: Angie Cheatham @ 9:54 am | 0 Comments »

Posted in Author, Books, Death & Dying, Disease & Sickness, Video | No Comments »

Cherishing Christ in Widowhood

The loss of a husband yields a tremendous grief unlike any other. Marriage is the most intimate of relationships, and to lose your life partner leaves a deep and painful wound.

In The Undistracted Widow, Carol Cornish explains through experience that the key to healing is to cling to Christ, adopting an attitude of love and gratitude. Remember the vows you made on your wedding day? “‘Til death do us part.” Praise the Lord, you and your husband made it to the end. As beautiful as marriage is, it is simply a picture of something far greater—the love of Christ for his Church. Christ cherishes the widow without the mediating love of her husband. Christ is her friend. He will never leave her. He is the lover of her soul.

Cornish encourages widows to pray this prayer based on Psalm 63:

My soul holds tightly to you; it follows after you with intensity, for clinging is a result of cherishing. I am thankful for your nearness, for the gracious gift of your presence with me. Your powerful right hand won’t let go of me. It is the foundation of my confidence. You will bring me through this valley of grief, and when I emerge, may I be more like you.

Adapted from The Undistracted Widow: Living for God after Losing Your Husband, p. 42.

October 27, 2010 | Posted in: Books,Death & Dying,Identity in Christ,Marriage,Suffering,Women, Wives, Mothers | Author: Crossway Staff @ 6:00 am | 1 Comment »

Posted in Books, Death & Dying, Identity in Christ, Marriage, Suffering, Women, Wives, Mothers | 1 Comment »

Finding Biblical Contentment as a Widow

Is it possible for a widow find authentic contentment? Often times people deal with grief by masking real pain with false contentment by:

  • Packing schedules
  • Thrill-seeking
  • Faking optimism
  • Resigning to our “fate”
  • Indulging in self-pity

But these strategies will not fill the void left by the loss of a husband. Learning to be truly content in widowhood means finding biblical contentment. We must be be satisfied with God’s plan for us and accept wholeheartedly what he has given us. In The Undistracted Widow, Carol Cornish explains that “true biblical contentment is a grace given by God though his Spirit as he does his sanctifying work in our lives.”

Finding contentment as a widow is a process, and Cornish gives us the keys that will open the door to true contentment and happiness:

  • Frequent confession of sin
  • Meditation on God’s Word
  • Memorization of God’s Word
  • Trust in God for everything
  • Heavenly mindedness

Happiness and contentment do not come from the shallow feeling of elation when things go our way. Real happiness comes from wanting God’s will for us, whatever that may be. When we understand and desire this, we then have the ability to move towards contentment once again.

Adapted from Chapter 14 of The Undistracted Widow.

October 26, 2010 | Posted in: Books,Death & Dying,Identity in Christ,Marriage,Suffering,Women, Wives, Mothers | Author: Crossway Staff @ 6:00 am | 0 Comments »

Posted in Books, Death & Dying, Identity in Christ, Marriage, Suffering, Women, Wives, Mothers | No Comments »