When it comes to this question, we want to be very sensitive. While there may be some things we don't understand, the good news about those believers who died prematurely is our knowledge that to depart and to be with Christ is far better! (Phil. 1:23.) Although they may have died through and untimely accident, sickness or disease, they are now shouting the victory in heaven! We may not understand everything, but we can rejoice with those who have gone on to heaven ahead of us.

The Bible gives us some reasons as to why someone may die prematurely, but unless the Lord specifically reveals it to us, we need to leave it between the Lord and that person. We do not know the heart of every man or woman; only God does. We do not know the walk of faith and the private conversations others have had with the Lord. We do not know how God was or had been dealing with someone in the personal areas of his life. We don't know the conversations the Holy Spirit had been having with the person just prior to their accident, tragedy, or untimely death. In light of all the things we do not know about others, it is difficult to say why someone is sick or why someone died prematurely.

Sometimes when people are very sick, they get tired and weary in the fight of faith and just prefer to leave their bodies (or die) and go to be with the Lord. Can you blame them? In addition, unless God tells us why, oftentimes it is none of our business. We must still walk by faith and believe God's Word for our own personal lives.

You may have know a believer who knew that healing was available to him from God and had faith for his healing, but was not healed. Why was he not healed? We don't know. Why his healing did not manifest is between him and God. We need to concentrate on what we do know—the promises God has given us in His Word about healing. In this area some young or immature Christians may be tempted to judge others and try to figure out "Why?" Perhaps a better thing to do is to pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and do what you can in the natural to support and encourage people who have experienced heartache in these situations. As God's compassion fills your heart, follow after love and do what you can to be a blessing to them, without trying to figure out all the reasons "why" something happened.

Again it's important to remember, while we don't always understand everything, we do not base our faith on the experience of others. We based our faith on God's Word alone, regardless of experiences—either ours or others. We need to be compassionate towards others, while at the same time living the life of faith based upon the revealed Word of God. (Here are a few verses to assist you: Deuteronomy 29:29, John 21:20-23)

For further study, I recommend my book, "Getting a Grip on the Basics of Health and Healing."

Copyright © 2007 Beth Jones Ministries All rights reserved.