It’s never pleasant to hear the news that someone has died. Losing young people can make our heads spin, asking God, “Why, God, why did they have to die so young?” And if we’re not careful, we can become bitter and angry toward God for seemingly tearing these people from our lives.
Especially if it was sudden and unexpected, but even losing someone after they suffered through a horrific disease can be a traumatic ordeal for anyone to go through. And it can take years, decades, and even a lifetime to deal with the grief of losing that person. You probably know someone who is still dealing with sadness after someone close to them died too early.
We’ve all heard stories of people who were in the prime of their life and had everything going for them suddenly passing away. And our heart breaks for their families and loved ones left behind who will need a long time to grieve. But I believe it’s the stories of innocent infants, children, teens, or young adults that really pull at our heartstrings.
Dealing with the loss of someone who seems so young can be excruciating and very difficult to understand, leaving us wondering, “Why do we lose some people so young?”
Why do we lose some people so young?
We all know that the stark reality of death is that it is final. It represents the end of someone’s story, including the end of their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Or, in the case of an infant or child, it’s the devastating end to all the excitement and anticipation the parents, grandparents, and extended family have for that individual’s life. Hope keeps us alive, so when death hits, the only hope we have is that we will see and be reunited with that loved one in heaven.
So why would God allow people to die before they’ve had a chance to live out their full potential here on earth?
Just writing this post today makes me sad thinking about the people in my circle that lost their lives too early. I can feel the weight of what their closest family must have felt when they received the news. It replays over and over in my mind. And I can only imagine what they have gone through since their passing. For those grieving, every day can be a struggle to put one foot in front of the other and be strong for everyone and everything else they have to take care of. Life’s responsibilities don’t end when grief begins, which is why it’s always a blessing to a grieving family to take up some of their burdens by providing necessary things like meals, errands, housekeeping, home repairs, childcare, etc. 🥰
I’ll get to why God allows young people to pass away in just a second. Before I do that, I fully realize that reading this post may be very difficult for some people. Perhaps your emotions are still raw, and it seems too soon. Maybe you are fighting back the tears this very second as you read this. I want to help you right now.
As a Christian, the only way I know to get myself out of feelings of sadness and heaviness is to look to Jesus. There aren’t any alternatives for me. Nothing else has the power to comfort us and calm our anxious and sad hearts. So let’s walk through ways you can turn your eyes to Him when perhaps you’re even wondering if God is good when He allows tragedies like these.
I know things can hurt so deep right now that you think there’s no hope, that you may feel this way forever. So let’s go to the Bible, where ALL the answers to life are (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Realize the Word of God is living. The Bible isn’t just any book. Hebrews 4:12 tells us it’s living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. This is why you hear me say this over and over again; we must go to the Word of God first.
Establish or reestablish that God is good. Learn how to train your heart and mind to find and recognize His goodness
Psalm 34:18 tells us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted.
Psalm 100:5 says that the Lord is good and His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness continues to all generations.
Psalm 89:14 tells us that righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne and that steadfast love and faithfulness go before Him.
And I’m only getting started. These verses are simply the tip of the iceberg. So set aside some time to read through the Psalms (here’s a Bible reading plan if you don’t already have one) because this can be very healing. If you’re having a hard time bringing yourself to read your Bible, many hymns have been turned into biblical worship songs. Shane & Shane is a group, for example, that I love listening to because they don’t misrepresent God or His Word.
Be thankful for God’s goodness
Remember that evil did not come into the world until sin showed up on the scene. Just as the Bible clearly outlines God’s goodness, it also warns us about the devil, specifically that he has come to steal, kill, and destroy, see John 10:10. God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to destroy the works of the devil, who was a murderer from the beginning, John 8:44.
God’s very nature is goodness. He can’t be anything other than good. The Bible lays out His love and His goodness in detail, verse after verse. But the one piece of His goodness we need to remind ourselves of at all times is that He sent His son to provide hope of eternal life to an evil, perverse, and sinful world.
Have you ever wondered why the gospel is called “The Good News”? It’s because we are all sinners, and we cannot help or save ourselves. The gospel or the good news is God’s plan to redeem us from the penalty of sin, which is death. Specifically eternal death where we are forever separated from Him. That is the best news ever!
Fellow Christian, be thrilled that Jesus has overcome the world. See John 16:33, “but take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Getting back to the question at hand, which is why do we lose some people so young…
It’s impossible; no matter how hard we try or what tactics we use, we can’t and never will be able to understand the plans and providence of God. But we can read the Bible, which is His Word. In fact, that is what we must do. Because the pages of Scripture are filled with passages that speak to God’s goodness, and His love towards us. That is why we must saturate ourselves with these truths. 💯
When we are stuck questioning God or wondering if He is good, it’s our responsibility to place our focus back on Him. One of the ways we can do this is by finding and memorizing the verses that speak to His character, especially His goodness and faithfulness. We must trust that His plans are right, good, and just. Proverbs 19:21 states that “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
In summary, when you find yourself wondering why we lose people so young, go to God. First, establish or reestablish that God is good by reading the Psalms or listening to worship songs that are biblically accurate. Reflect on where you would be without God’s love and goodness. You would be lost forever without any hope of eternal life. Praise and thank Him for your salvation, for His Good News.
I wish I could promise you that you’ll be spared from having to endure the pain of losing someone that seems gone way too early. Life is unfair to Christians and non-Christians alike (Matthew 5:45). But I can promise that as a Christian, you can rest assured of your final destination as your last day on earth comes.
So, if you cannot, without a doubt, identify yourself as a Christ-follower, take a minute right now to recognize you are lost and in need of a Savior. Confess and repent of your sins. Recognize that God sent His one and only Son to rescue you and save you from being forever separated from Him. Jesus shed His blood to overcome sin and death. When you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you now have a heavenly Father who you can always trust to do what is right according to His plans and purposes. Then, read this post, How to Know If You’re REALLY Saved. 💖
