Why does God let loved ones die?
Many people don't believe in God because they have lost loved ones. Their pain and disappointment over the loss lead to a negative attitude toward God, especially when a person dies at a young age. While some blame God, others question His existence altogether. They ignore the fact that our lives do not belong to us, but to God. Family and friends are also a gift from God. Without God, neither we nor all the people close to us would exist. Since everything we have comes from God, we have no right to claim anything.
In the Bible, we read about a person named Job, from whom the word "Job's message" is derived. Job was a very God-fearing man whom God blessed richly. This Job had to endure the sudden death of all his children in a single day. He was also deprived of all his possessions, including a large number of livestock and several servants. Shortly afterwards, Job also lost his health, leaving him with almost nothing. His standing in the community was also severely affected by these circumstances, so that many who had once been close to Job turned away from him. Because of these events, Job's wife urged him to curse God, which would have meant his death. But despite all these painful experiences, Job was not ready to abandon his faith. On the contrary: Even in his greatest suffering, Job gave glory to God. Job knew full well that he owed everything he possessed to God alone. What Job didn't realize was that what he was going through was a test designed to prove his loyalty to God and strengthen his faith. In the end, after Job had proven himself through this difficult trial, God blessed him twice as much as before. Job is therefore rightly mentioned in the Bible as a model of faith.
We can still learn a lot from this story, which is based on a true event: Firstly, it is up to God alone to decide how long a person will live. However, God is not accountable to any of us for what He does. There are various reasons why God takes someone's life. This can be related to a person's personal lifestyle. Secondly, God can use this to test a person's faith, as in the case of Job. In still other cases, the death of a loved one can lead us to God. Often, however, there are reasons that we do not know. But regardless of why God makes a certain decision, true faith is shown when a person trusts God wholeheartedly, regardless of their circumstances, instead of doubting God's ways or accusing Him of error. For God makes no mistakes. All the challenges Job faced ultimately brought him closer to his Creator. Job realized that God's ways are higher than his understanding and that God was acting for his good, not for his harm. Job's story shows that God rewards humility, trust, and unconditional loyalty. Furthermore, the book of Job teaches us that we should love nothing in the world more than God. Even though we can be grateful for all the good things God gives us in life, we should always be ready to let them go if God wills it. This also applies to loved ones.
In addition, our life in this world is just vapor. Since each of us must die sooner or later, it is irrelevant how long a person exists. Jesus, the Son of God, also died at the relatively young age of 33. The Holy Scriptures foretold that the Messiah would suffer and die on the cross for the sins of humanity. Although Jesus knew his fate, he served God until his last breath. For Jesus knew that God would raise him from the dead, as happened on the third day according to the prophecy. Furthermore, Jesus promised that everyone who believes in him and lives with God will also be resurrected to eternal life. Job, too, knew that his life would not end with death. Those who believe in God and have believing relatives who have already died can know that they will one day see them again forever in God's future kingdom.
So instead of arguing with God, every person – regardless of their personal life experiences – is called to make peace with God in order to be able to participate in eternal life in God's new world.