Heartbreak: Walking with Jesus In Grief (ft. Randy Alcorn)

Randy Alcorn is perhaps the most well-known Christian who writes and speaks on Heaven. Yet two years ago, his childhood bride, Nanci, died of cancer. How did his belief in heaven shape how he grieved? And what did he learn through this experience that can help Christians (and others) better grieve through loss, heartbreak, and pain? Sean and Randy both get personal in this interview.

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
TikTok: @sean_mcdowell

[Standing.W.Israel]

God taught me two profound truths early in my life after my little brother took his life when he was 23 and I was 25. He taught me that A) we grieve so hard because death is FOREIGN to our original design and B) that it's OK to NOT be ok. That to try to get out of not being ok before all the lessons are learned and the process of not being ok is complete, will ultimately draw that process out to a possibly destructive end. I still, to this day, struggle with that loss, but God has used it in beautiful ways that are priceless in my journey with Christ on this earth.

[marianmalone]

I lost a little boy to cancer when he was almost 13 years old back in 1993. I don’t think I’m ever gonna be over my grief because I miss him all the time but he was a Christian so I know he is in a better place. I’m really not using that as a crutch, but maybe I am because it gives me comfort to know that he’s with the Lord and I know that I’m gonna get to see him again one day.

[robertheilborn]

My wife of 54 years passed away 6 months ago of dementia We were childhood sweethearts. She was my whole life I was in an incredible dark time I had no family close to talk to I was not working could barely walk my legs and knees were so bad. I was so lost. But I know she died at home in my arms but she woke up in Jesus arms. It is getting better slowly

[Donna-F]

My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2013. Michael went to heaven in June of 2022 after the cancer metastasized to his liver. We were married for 43 years. I’m extremely grateful that he only had a minimal amount of pain in the last few months. I met Michael when I was 14 and he was 17. I know we will be together for eternity and I am so looking forward to the day we are reunited and we can worship Jesus Christ together again and even better in His presence.

[Nighthawkinlight]

I love seeing this Christian hope represented well. My dad died last year and I can't think of anyone that looked forward to being "present with the Lord" like him. He spoke about it regularly from as far back as I can remember. I was driving when I got the message that it had happened and had to pull over just to have a moment of celebration on his behalf. Seeing someone so boldly unafraid of death was a huge influence on myself, and this is a good reminder that I'm now in the position to do what he did for me for others in my own life. Hope might be the most powerful thing a Christian has.

[reasonbeing]

"Don't become bitter at God for what He chooses to do. He loves me even more than I love myself and He knows what's best. Trust Him no matter what hard things you go through in your life." I needed this today. I'm being treated with radiation for a spinal tumor. I have young children and it's hard to trust God and become bitter that I can't be the mom I want to be right now. Thanks

[judyanderson]

I love everything Randy said and agree wholeheartedly with him. My husband of 45.5 years died 4 months after Nanci. He didn't die of Cancer but a catastrophic stroke during a day surgery procedure. I had an acquaintance yell at me that if I just had enough faith, he would be healed. I am in perfect agreement with Randy and Scripture that the length of our days are determined by God. I look forward to spending eternity with Corky and I miss his presence in my life daily. I think I miss his perfectly timed sense of humor and just the sound of his voice most of all. Jesus is my Lord, Savior, best friend and Scripture says husband to the widow. He certainly has been faithful and my goal now is to finish well. Now I lead GriefShare and plan to get Randy’s book to give out there.
I spent 20 years in the pro- life arena in Oregon and met Randy back then. I love his books both fiction and non fiction and respect him deeply as a Christian leader.

[CherylSimon-ctik]

My husband went to be with Jesus two years ago today. I still have his deodorant and aftershave. I grieve, I mourn. God also blesses me with visions of my next life, and provides me with a balm for my grief.

[hacerclic]

The wife of a missionary friend of mine highly recommended Randy's book Heaven to me. Two months later she passed away. I didn't know she was ill. I don't know if she knew. But I bought and read the book and knowing that she is in heaven now makes it extra special.

[rhondafellows]

Thank you for sharing this. I can relate to some parts - things people say, avoiding church or places where there’s too many people who say things. I’ve not been attending church very much at all since my husband passed almost 10 months ago. My husband beat cancer, but had side effects from the treatments he was dealing with. He passed unexpectedly with respiratory distress. We didn’t get to talk. I feel so much guilt that I didn’t do all I could, but God showed me it wasn’t up to me, it was up to Him. But it creeps back in from time to time. Randy’s book has been a help to me as well as his book on Heaven. Since we didn’t get to have final words, I talk to him a lot, but mostly to God. God bless you, Sean, on your father’s diagnosis that he will not have a hard time in his journey. God bless you, Randy, as you continue on your grief journey and help others like me. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[lizstephan]

What a sweet podcast. Thank you for sharing, Randy. Part of the reason grief hurts so much is because there was and still is love. You & your wife were blessed to have each other, and to know you will meet again with all the joys of heaven. Sean, I am sorry to hear your father has this diagnosis. He's a wonderful author and speaker, and since both my parents got dementia and then my mom had Alzheimers, I know it's not an easy road. But God was there for us and for them, and he will be there for your family. Though there were heartaches and frustrations, we remember the funny things and good times best now, and feel so grateful they are with the Lord and made whole.

[loribenton]

I'm on my sixth read through of HEAVEN, my second read through of New Morning Mercies (devotional by Paul Tripp). Along with daily Bible reading, these books are the two I've carefully curated to shape the believer in Jesus I want to be, and the writer I want to be, what I want to have to offer the world through my own books and otherwise. I've taken careful notice of the books Nanci read during those last years, since you've often shared them Randy, and plan to read them all.

[paradisecityX]

Alcorn's book "Heaven" is a must-read for those who want to know what Heaven is like

[sylviarodriguez]

God bless you and your family!
God bless the memory of your beloved wife!

[GeraldineAndrade-xe]

mercifully our times are in His hands.

[threepwood]

My beloved wife passed away in March 2022 from colorectal cancer. After looking after her in the final years of her cancer, I've struggled to find my feet. Keeping in the Word daily has become an anchor.

My online Bible study group studied 2 Corinthians 4 this morning. I don't think it was a mere coincidence!

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

That phrase "We do not lose heart, " is repeated at the start and end of the chapter.
We do grieve, but God promises to wipe away every tear. I'm reading Randy's book "Heaven, " and it feels much more relevant to me now.

[midimusicforever]

Jesus is with us through the darkest of valleys!

[angelbianchi]

My father committed suicide by overdose in 2020. My mother died by accidental suicide the same way, in 2021.
My mother was a believer. My father was not. God comforted me more for my father than my mother, He knew I needed that more.

[TheFallenApe-Theist]

Some grieving people think God can’t possibly exist. Others sense God comforting them and leading them through a journey.

In each case, grieve with them. Help with day-to-day activities that they suddenly found insurmountable.

Whether God exists or not, keep doing that.

[susanpilgrim]

I appreciate so much this video and testimony. My husband when to be with Jesus a year and a half ago. So many things your guest shared describe what I have been going through and learning from the Lord. My husband also was in ministry for many years and in just the same way we were very best friends for 52 years. His faith that he demonstrated all his life inspires me to keep my focus on eternity just as he did. Thank you again dear brothers.