Hope-filled Grief

I experienced it firsthand among a family after the recent passing of their loved one and my friend.  Interestingly, the tears were few, but the words of faith were many.  They REALLY believed that God's Word is true and eternal reward is reality.  It was nothing short of inspirational.  I knew they were grieving, but it was unlike much of what I've witnessed...  

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope." That is a very unique response to loss and even devastation.  We as Christ-followers have a different vantage point and live from a reverse perspective.  When the world is seen to hold tightly to worldly possessions and relationships, God's people have a lighter grip.  The real treasures we have aren't stored on earth. Our investments are where moth and rust cannot corrupt and thieves cannot break in and steal.  An experience of any kind of loss is held in the view of eternity.  Grieving is a very natural, familiar and even important part of processing loss.  But grieving without any sense of hope is frankly unnatural for the believer.  Our witness as followers of Christ continues and even deepens during personal difficulty.  And, how well we as Oklahomans need to be reminded of this most profound truth now.

What do you need to let go of in light of eternity?