The death of a child is one of the most painful experiences for a family to endure. The pain stabs friends and community as well. We all hurt as our faith is challenged and even temporarily paralyzed as we sort through the tragedy of a loved one who is now gone from this life.

Today, we all as family and friends of various fellowships came together for the memorial of two-year-old Chloe Aschenbrenner of the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. At the home office we all work closely daily with her grandparents, Gerald and Connie Seelig, whom we love dearly.

It is hard to know what to say when an untimely death occurs. The Apostle Paul did, however, offer these words about this uncomfortable subject to the fledgling church in Thessalonica: "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Paul acknowledged sorrow and grief. But we are not to sorrow like those who have no hope—those who do not have a relationship with our Lifegiver God. He went on to speak about the resurrection of the dead.

Our bedrock faith is defined by our daily prayer of "Thy Kingdom Come." This frames our existence on this earth and life to come. This is our hope.

At this time of coming together for the family, we will remember Chloe. We are with the family in spirit. We grieve. But we also have hope in the teaching of the glorious Kingdom that gives life and we hold on tight to our relationship with our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

We do need to pray for one another and hope that God will use us in His way to offer love and support to those who suffer in their time of need.

In our prayers, let us pray for God's grace and His comfort upon the many in our midst who are dealing with the impact of unexpected trials. There are other families who have children with serious health trials. Let us remember these, and the many others who need our prayers and support. We "have the same care for one another... if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it" (1 Corinthians 1:25-26).

Pray for God's grace, comfort and healing. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Paul wrote these encouraging words of faith to help us understand the purpose of our trials. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance" (Romans 8:18-25).

We are firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Those who endure to the end will have been tested and tried. God promises to make us sons in His image and co-heirs with Christ in eternity. It is the awesome mind-bending reality promised to us.

Let us take heart and courage from these words and let us remember each other in prayer.