Senator Durant to families: Be strong!

Families who lost loved ones due to tragic circumstances are being encouraged to be strong.

 

According to Senator Reverend Dr. David Durant, tragedy, hardship, loss and challenges in life are designed to “strengthen our resolve to achieve worthwhile goals and certainly not to make us quit”.

 

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Restoration Ministries expressed this during a Bereavement Fellowship & Dinner, held under the theme “From Tragedy to Victory”, for families who had loved ones taken too soon in violent acts, vehicular accidents as well as illness.

 

“This Fellowship & Dinner is designed to be a source of encouragement and strength, bringing peace, comfort and hope to the grieving. Especially bearing in mind that Mother’s Day just passed and you would have had mixed emotions knowing your loved one is not here.”

 

Senator Durant recalled that in 2015, the island experienced several sudden tragic deaths, especially young people being taken out by violence.

 

“Their lives cut short by the hands of others,” he said, pointing out that August was the bloodiest month.

 

“The spate of fatalities by the bullet that occurred in Barbados during last year has left many families in a state of fear and uncertainty. It has caused much pain and grief, a sense of loss, displacement, disorientation and in some instances, anger and confusion.”

 

The senior pastor told those gathered not to allow their particular situation to pull them into depression, or allow them to become angry and bitter toward God. He also encouraged them to come together with a determination to rebuild, regroup and move on as a family.

 

“Nobody and nothing can keep you down unless you decide not to rise again,” he stressed.

 

Senator Durant further expressed, “Most people do not understand the journey grief takes you through, especially due to the loss of a loved one, but your comfort and strength comes from looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.

 

“Faith in God is your greatest asset and it is important that you embrace it at this time, because you can become so overwhelmed with what’s happening to you and can experience bouts of grief. But when that faith is reactivated, you will discover the abundant grace of God saturating your being and sustaining you through every difficulty, bringing the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding. So be strong and courageous my friends, for God is indeed your refuge and strength.” (TL)