Charlie & Terry Liebert both became Christians at mid-life in their 30s. Now 80 and 75, after 53 years of marriage, they face their greatest life tragedy, the unexpected suicide death of a dear loved one. Journey together with them as they agonize through three more levels of grief.
We grieve a person’s death because we know, deep inside ourselves, that death is NOT the way God intended the Universe to work. No matter what the direct cause of anyone’s death is, sorrow immediately envelops the survivors, and they begin to grieve that person’s passing. That is normal grief. In this book, we will describe three levels of grieving that go beyond the expected or anticipated death of a person we loved. Our grief and suffering intensify at each level as we consider the sudden, unexpected death by suicide of a close friend or relative. These increasing levels of grief raise questions about death, suicide, and our Christianity that we must answer if we expect to eventually resume our “normal” life. One question that I’ve already been asked is, “Why bring in the Christian perspective?” The answer is simple. I don’t know how I could have dealt with our loved one’s death without my relationship with Jesus. I had Job’s choice: Flee from God “Curse God and die!” OR Flee to God “How can we accept good and NOT evil?” More Info: Three increasing levels of grief are:
- Grieving for a sudden unexpected death, recognizing the source of death from the Scriptures, SIN. DEATH is transitory. It had a beginning (Genesis 3) and a definite end (Revelation 20).
- Grieving for one’s death by suicide and its unique impact on the survivors. Asking the “WHY” question. “Why did he/she die by suicide?” The shame of Suicide?
- Grieving by Christians for the death of one who never made a profession of faith in Christ. Where are they now? HEAVEN or HELL? YOU can’t change it. Leave that decision to God!
I’ve included an analysis of the death of Inspector Javert from Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables because it clearly illustrates the three steps to suicide 1) Situation (desperation), 2) Intolerable Dilemma (Inescapability), 3) The Decision to die. Les Miz also contrasts the two covenants, WORK (the law of God) and GRACE (Jesus).