The loss of a pet may be described as “grief is like the
ocean. It comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and
sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.”[iv] With our beloved pet,
it’s important to remember that “death ends a life, not a relationship.”[v]
Many
people wonder if pets can go to Heaven once they are no longer alive in this
world with their owners. Let’s find out the truth together. Job 12:9-10(KJ21)
indicates that like the human being, animals have souls, which qualify them for
entry into Heaven.“Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?”
If your pet is not in Heaven, there is absolutely no way you can be enjoying a world of perfection together unless you have made prior arrangements to be there after your passing. John 3:3 (PHILLIPS) says:[vi]
“Believe me,”
returned Jesus, “a man cannot even see the kingdom of God without being born
again.”
Revelation 5:13
(BRG) provides us with a biblical example of animals in Heaven:“And every creature which is in Heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”
It would stand to reason that since your pets are
also God’s creation (just like you).He wants you to take good care of them. He
knows when your pets are hurt, and mourns their passing along with you (because
the Almighty loves both of you).[vii]
God made every type of wild animal, every type of domestic animal,
and every type of creature that crawls on the ground. God saw that they were
good. Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, in our likeness.
Let them rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the domestic animals
all over the earth, and all the animals that crawl on the earth.”[viii]
“Good people are kind
to their animals, but a mean person is cruel.”[ix]“Are not two sparrows worth only a small amount of money? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing about it.”[x]
“Don’t panic. I’m
with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength.
I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady; keep a firm grip on you.”[xi]
It’s hard at times for most people not to relive
certain parts of our life, and convince ourselves of how it should have been
done. If you’ve lost a pet, does this poem sound familiar?If I had known that on that day our time was near the end
I would have done things differently, my forever friend.
I would have stayed right next to you deep into the night
but I thought I’d see you in the early morning light.
And so I said “Good night” to you as I walked in through the door
never thinking of the time when I’d see you no more.
But if I had known that on that day our time was at the end
I would have done things so differently, my forever friend.[xii]
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us.”[xiii]
[i] The title for
this post is taken from a quote by actress Linda Blair. “It's
difficult to understand why people don't realize that pets are gifts to
mankind.”
[ii] Quote by Cynthia
S. Dobesh
[iii] “Instead, ask the animals, and they
will teach you. Ask the birds, and they will tell you.” Job 12:7(GW)
[vi] See post “Walking in Jesus Boots” for further
information on this important topic.
[vii] The following websites helped make the material in
this post a possibility: rainbowsbridge.com, www.in-memory-of-pets.com, dying.lovetoknow.com, www.clarifyingchristianity.com. (If you are experiencing a pet
loss, these websites could be helpful.)
[ix] Proverbs 12:10 (CEV)
[x] Matthew 10:29 (New Testament) (WE)
[xi] Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)
[xii] “Knowing” by Sally Evans written for
Shoo-Fly (a deceased pet)
[xiii] Quote by Helen Keller
No comments:
Post a Comment