Q: Will we grieve for lost loved ones when we are in Heaven?
In God’s glorious presence, all our concerns and griefs will be erased.
It’s hard to imagine how we can be happy if our loved ones aren’t in Heaven because of their unbelief, but Scripture assures that “even the memory of them will disappear” (Psalm 9:6, TLB). God’s plan will be revealed, in all of its fullness, in Heaven. Our present understanding is limited, but one day we will comprehend the perfection of His justice and mercy: “The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. … Be glad and rejoice” (Isaiah 65:17–18, NIV).
The human mind has but a wisp of understanding. As believers, through the work of the Holy Spirit, our faith grows deeper concerning the things of God. He first gives us faith to believe in Him, then our faith and knowledge of His Word grow so we understand that He can and will do all things well. He demonstrated this by giving His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
Paul says, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:12—13, NIV). We must have these three gifts from God to live for Him on Earth. In Heaven, our faith will be complete, for we will see Him face-to-face. In Heaven, our hope will become reality, for we will no longer have to patiently endure before being fully in His presence. And the love that He exhibited for us on Earth and instilled in us to love Him and others will continue forever, because God is love (1 John 4:8).
The scope of God’s love will not be fully realized until it is revealed in Heaven. The mystery of God’s love would not be a mystery if we knew all the answers. All our concern, worry, and grief will come to an end when we begin new life in Heaven.