Hopeful Uncertainty

As a family, we faced three deaths in close succession a few years ago—my dad, my uncle, and my brother-in-law passed away within a few months of each other. For the first time, my children were confronted with death up close. Our hearts were broken and overwhelmed with pain.

But in all three losses, there was a common thread: the hope of seeing our loved ones again.

This hope was a great comfort that sustained our family. But was it just wishful thinking, or is there a real hope beyond the grave? When I look at the Bible, I see the stories of many heroes of faith who lived with purpose and died when their time on earth was complete. Each of them had a clear sense of direction in their journey, and some even anticipated death with eager expectation. This wasn’t a desire for martyrdom—it was a genuine excitement for the joyful existence that awaited them beyond the grave. Such assurance was only possible because of their living relationship with God.

They knew where they were going, grounded in their relationship with God and His promise of “preparing a place” for them. The apostle Paul expressed this confidence when he said, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He looked forward to the heavenly city, where he would dwell with God. The story of George in the cover story echoes that same hope—a hope that came from a deep, personal relationship with God that he and his family shared.

I also attended the funeral of Sairah Mattackal, where I expected to see children overcome with grief and sorrow. I do not in any way diminish the pain they felt, but her husband and children radiated a hope that stunned everyone present—a hope rooted in the certainty that they would see their wife and mother again. This kind of peace and grace in the face of such deep loss is difficult to comprehend, yet it is something God truly gives to those who trust Him. In contrast, I have also seen people grieve in ways that led to devastation, often because their sorrow was accompanied by hopelessness.

If you are reading this during a time of grief or loss, I invite you to anchor your life in a hope that is real. Life’s uncertainty can feel overwhelming, especially when shaped by painful experiences. But with Christ, you can remain hopeful even in the midst of uncertainty.

I call it Hopeful Uncertainty.