Joe ~ God is THE single most important person in my life...without my faith I would not be able to walk this valley...I would have been totally lost...without personal relationship with Jesus Christ and my knowledge of access to His Promises contained in the Word...I would have no hope...without hope, I would have no future...with no future, I'd have no reason to live...I would have just laid down and given up, literally grieving myself to death...I know that, because that's what I wanted to do those first days after the funeral when the reality began to actually set in. But God, In His Mercy, Grace & Compassion was there, whispering softly..."Trust me, I know the plans I have for you...." I don't all that God haves for me in the future, but this I am sure of...If He brings someone new into my life someday, that man will have to love God above everything and everyone, including me...That's how important God is to me...

My faith has been strengthened by my husband's passing. Without God, I would not have made it through these last 10 months. To believe and know that my DH is in a better place gives me so much peace. The day he passed, I was not with him but felt it; I have written about it before, so will not repeat, but I know he went to Heaven.
God picks me up when I am down, keeps me safe, and shapes my future, and someday, I know my DH and I will be together again.

Joe,

I appreciate your search for purpose and truth during this difficult time.

To answer your questionMy faith sustains me now and was the foundation of our marriage and family. Everything that has and will happen in my life is viewed through my personal relationship with God. I do not think of my faith as a crutch, as some might suggest, but rather a trust in the One who gave me my first breath and who knows the day and hour of my homegoing. The death of my husband did not come as a surprise to God, as His plan was performed perfectly.

Although I have the unbelievable sadness that accompanies the loss of a spouse, I am comforted by the promises set forth from the beginning of time in His Word. He did not forsake me but walks with me in my sorrow. He gently provides me with the inner strength needed to survive my loss and go forward for whatever purpose He has in store for me. I am not perfect and I struggle, but by His grace I will press on.

' ... My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' (II Cor. 12:9)

Blessings to you in your personal journey of faith. TJ

As a woman who was blessed with bringing into this world two wonderful children, I have never, ever doubted that there is a God -- a supreme being! I don't know if my faith has strengthened with this journey, but I have never felt that God abandoned me. Even in my darkest moments, He was always there because someone always came into my mind that for at least a moment the pain eased. Every single day of my life -- from my youth -- I realized how precious life is -- every single day when I wake up I thank God for giving me one more day of this precious life. As I walk out the door, I commend myself to God and dedicate the day to good. I do not consider myself religious so much as I consider myself more spiritual. I do not believe that we need to have an intermediary with our conversations with God. At this point in my life what I always ask God is to please give me peace and strength, and that He guide me down the path that I must walk. Then I thank him for all of the blessings that He has bestowed me in my lifetime -- which, my friend, has not been easy! Blessings to you and what a wonderful question to ponder over!

My faith is everything to me. I know that before my husband passed on that I questioned everything. It wasn't two days after he was gone that I quit questioning everything, fell to my knees and asked for help. Without God, I wouldn't be where I am now. Every single morning and night and several times during the day, I ask God for his help and guidance, and I do believe I have recieved his help, strength and guidance through this period. I didn't see it at first, but I do now. And after all of the prayers that went out to my niece today from everyone of you and all of my friends on face book, I truly believe in GOD and the power of prayer more now than I ever have.

Joe,
Since the death of my wife I am awaking myself to my old beliefs that I have not practiced for many years. I think the spiritual aspect of death does this but I also know that to be saved I need to have Christ in my life and as I said earlier, I am trying to figure out how to do that in a dailey devotion. Don't know where I am at or where it will lead me but I do know how important that belif is.
Dave

I would not have survived many obstacles in my life, including the death of my beloved spouse.

I have seen God's works. One of our congregation members' daughter was involved in a motorcycle accident and left with severe injuries. Surgery, months of rehab, and on top of all that, a cancer diagnosis and more surgery.

This past Sunday she was in church with her mother. Looks like the picture of health with an attitude to accompany it. Prayer is a powerful thing.

I am sometimes saddened for a secretary at the office. She is agnostic, as well as her husband, and a mother of four. I wonder how a person can go through life not experiencing the joy and fulfillment of having a relationship with God, nor give their children a religious basis to build on.

God hears all prayer and answers. All we need to do is listen.

Blessings, Debbie