The Holy Spirit will help you die...

So I am writing an essay for my Theological Ethics class and its on the moral vision of 1 Peter. What this means is what is the imperatives or commands for the Church in the way Peter lays out his essay. I am using Richard Hays' three focal images (lenses) of cross, community, and new creation. ...all that to say that this has been very convicting but also very encouraging. Part of my assignment is to relate this to a situation now and how the believer should act or respond. I have chosen to talk about how to comfort someone dealing with cancer or another terminal disease. This is such a sensitive subject and its something that I cannot completely relate to, but I know that God's word is sufficient to give advice in all situations, for it is living and active. I just want to share two passages that have struck me the most and I hope them to be an encouragement. I have also taken some of this information from John Pipers studies on death and dying. 1 Peter 4:12 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you, as though something strange were happening to you." We should expect trials. Not only does this help us to deal with them, but more importantly it allow us to praise God instead of being angry or bitter. It allows us to share in them rather than isolate ourselves. It allows us to think of death rather than pretend its not real. It allows us to have a deep rooted good theology of God rather than just loving God. Church, expect trials. Paraphrasing John Piper he says that some trials given to sinners to condemn them are the same ones used on the saints to refine them. Be ready and willing. Secondly and primarily, 1 Peter 4:14, "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." You can take a deep breath now because you know you're not going down alone. When trials come there is one emotion that outweighs them all, hopelessness. this may manifests itself in many ways; anger, sadness, depression, bitterness, but its all a loss of hope. But we must remember that the Spirit is the one who REMINDS us of Jesus and he reminds us of our salvation and he reminds us that we are Gods and he reminds us that this is not our home. And on that day, when all is hopeless, the Sprit of glory rests on you and will remind you of what you need to remember...that death is not the end, but the beginning of life. The Holy Spirit will help you die.