Wisdom in Times of Illness, Grief, or Loss

It is often hard to know what to say or what to do when someone you know experiences sickness, suffers a loss, or faces death. Thankfully, our fathers in the faith have thought long and hard about what to say and how to console others when we find ourselves needing to visit the sick, comfort someone close to us, or offer an answer to that difficult question that often arises during times of trial: “Why did this happen to me?”

An old document provides much help in this regard, and I encourage you to take a look at it. Entitled A Brief Instruction in the True Faith and in the Way of Salvation, to Die Willingly, it was written by Cornelis van Hille in Norwich, England, in 1571. Although it was never formally incorporated into the liturgies of the Reformed churches, it has been reprinted many times in published liturgies and prayer books.

Among the topics addressed are the reasons for suffering (the Fall, human sin, and the limits of human life); God’s gracious salvation of sinful people, with a focus on Christ as our Redeemer, refuge, and giver of eternal life; the blessings of salvation (justification and Christ’s intercessory prayer on our behalf); the heavenly glory that lies ahead; the good fight of faith (good works springing from faith); the sure and certain hope of the resurrection; and our deliverance at the final judgment.

People don’t like to talk about death or deal with the realities of suffering. But Christians need not fear sickness or death, as awful as these can be, because God promises to sustain us through these trials and draw close to us when he calls us to suffer.

This little tract is a true gem of pastoral comfort. You can read it, or portions of it, to the sick when you visit them. You can send excerpts to friends and family when needed, since it is available online. Most important of all, you ought to read it before you or anyone else you know faces the reality that, barring the return of Jesus Christ, sickness and death will come. We serve a gracious and merciful God, but we live in a fallen world as vapors that come and go.

Not to be morose, but after many years of pastoral ministry, I am more convinced than ever that a pastor’s real job description is to assure God’s people of God’s favor toward them in Christ and to prepare them to die in Christ. Our tools are preaching the Word and administering the sacraments for the comfort of God’s people and the glory of Christ.

A Brief Instruction in the True Faith and in the Way of Salvation, to Die Willingly, places these tools at everyone’s disposal.