“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NKJV)

The apostle Paul described believers who had died as having “fallen asleep” in Jesus. For them death is like sleep, a transitional state where one closes their eyes in this world and opens them in the next. Having given the Thessalonians this description, Paul encouraged them not to “sorrow as others who have no hope.” Let the tears fall down your face, but not without believing in your heart that the same Jesus who died and rose again will return with those who sleep in Him. This faith gives us hope that overcomes the sorrow of death.