Before The Rain

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Instructions from

God's Word to prepare

for and cope with Grief.

“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

PREFACE

I have faced death many times in my life, as well as many other things that have caused me to feel great sorrow. On one occasion, some years ago, I looked into the barrel of a shotgun held by two wild young men on their way to murder a girl. The first thing I thought about was my two young children without a mother and my husband without a wife. Needless to say, I got away, but they did shoot a woman who fell into a coma for a week before recovering. Late that night the two men died, one by suicide in a jail cell and the other in gunfire during a police chase. I was faced with the reality of death that evening, but the Lord was there with me and He gave me strength.

Another time, I cared for a dear friend who had terminal cancer and no family. I was standing by her side when she passed away in my bed. I took part in her funeral, and I remember the months of pain that followed. My husband and children loved this lady as well, and we grieved together. Again, the Lord’s presence was with me. His help, through the care of loving friends, was a real encouragement to my family and me.

I have lost many loved ones through the years, but the hardest time ever was when I lost my dad. No one except the Lord knows how much I loved him. The Lord led me to tell him so just four days before he died. The pain was so severe, I was not willing to talk about it for a long time. I had always dreaded the loss of my parents. When the time came, I remember that God was with me. I shared my pain with Him, I waited on Him, and He comforted me. He helped me to go on.

I have visited the funeral home about 75 times in less than 20 years. I have been directly involved with many dear friends and loved ones suffering grief. I am acquainted with the pain of deep sorrow through other horrible circumstances in my own life as well.

I have found that there is a great need for people to not just face grief and work through it, but to understand it more fully. I believe one of the greatest needs we have concerning grief is to be prepared for it ahead of time. The only answer as to how is for people to come to God and live pleasing, obedient lives before Him. It is only in knowing the Lord that we can have hope, peace, real help, and comfort when we are facing any great loss causing us sorrow and grief. Again, this is the only way to prepare. Any rejection of God and His Son is a very serious mistake.

It is my sincere desire that you will seek the Lord in all you do and say concerning your life and that you will commit all your ways to Him, through the good times as well as the bad times.

My prayer is that the Lord will use this booklet to help you to be better prepared to face grief and to help others facing grief, and that you will know His peace and His comfort when the dark shadow of grief suddenly appears.

For a free copy of “Before the Rain” By Jo Ann Hollway, please call Ramiah Ministries, Inc. at (866) 277-PRAY or email at joannsbgg@verizon.net