What Happens To Animals When They Die

My wife and I were recently awakened by the tears of one of our children. They'd found our domestic dog, Nellie, dead on the floor.

Nellie was a cantankerous-eyed Chihuahua who had brought our family so much joy. She was about as good a dog as a Chihuahua can exist.

Equally the tears flowed, then did the questions.

Why did Nellie accept to die? Why did God take Nellie then soon? Will we see Nellie in heaven?

While some may consider these questions silly, I don't.

The longer we live on this fallen planet, the more sorrow nosotros face. Some suffering is small, and some is cracking, simply information technology all hurts. Some families experience tragedy early on and frequently. Our family has been spared meaning tragedy, merely times like these still leave their mark.

Subsequently a little while, we were able to talk almost what we were feeling and the questions we were processing. Here are a few highlights.

ane. Nosotros know why our pets die.

Death is ane of life's saddest and most certain realities. Whether it be a pet or a fellow image-bearer, few things sober u.s. similar death. A common cold, potent body that lacks the life it once supported is a heavy reminder that something is tragically wrong with our world.

The Bible tells u.s. patently that when Adam and Eve revolted against God, a expletive was put not only on humanity, just on all creation (Gen. 3:14, 19). Because of this, decease comes for all of us, humans and animals alike.

In Deuteronomy half-dozen, God gives Israelite parents this charge: "You shall teach [my commands] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when yous sit in your house, and when you walk past the way, and when you lie down, and when yous ascension" (5.7).

Discipleship in the home happens every bit nosotros live together—and as we bury pets together. Some may want to shield their children from discussions of death, but we don't. Nosotros tell our children that death exists because of the expletive of sin. All of u.s. will die; fifty-fifty our dear animals are not exempt.

2. Nosotros don't know why our pets die when they exercise.

Expiry comes for all of us in a time and manner that'due south mostly unexpected. Nellie was, as far as we could tell, a healthy little dog. She seemed to go peacefully in her sleep. I've lost other pets in much more traumatic ways. When my girl looked at me and asked, "Why did she have to die at present?" I simply held her and said, "I don't know."

When we dearest someone, it ever seems our time with them was besides brusk. I encouraged her that our family loved Nellie well, and she loved us in like measure. I likewise reminded her that we need non fright losing those we love; instead, we should dear them besides equally we're able while they're with the states.

iii. God isn't cruel; he's caring.

The God of the Bible isn't a savage, distant, absentee father who expects his suffering children to "suck it upward." Rather, he gives united states precious promises.

1 we discussed is Psalm 34:xviii: "The LORD is shut to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

If your god doesn't care about the tears of a kid who's lost her dear pet, then your god is too distant.

When pets die, it'southward a fine time to grab a promise from the Lord and let information technology condolement yous. Again, for some this may seem petty. Only I assure y'all it's non. In fact, if your god doesn't intendance about the tears of a child who'due south lost her dear pet, so your god is too afar.

iv. God doesn't tell us what happens to our pets when they die, but we tin can trust him.

Well-nigh everyone who's lost pets has wondered, "Volition I see them once again?" Some give hearty assurances based on what they hope will come to laissez passer. But hope is far also precious to cast it on what nosotros merely want to be truthful. Information technology'south safer to anchor our beliefs in what God says is true. And on this upshot, he simply doesn't say.

Animals don't have the same hope humans do, because humans are distinct amidst all God's creations. We're made in God'south paradigm; animals (and angels) are not (Gen 1:26–27). Among living beings, we take a unique power to reason (Ps. 32:9). Jesus came to salvage humans, not angels or animals.

Yet the Bible does speak about the presence of animals in the life to come. In Isaiah 11:half-dozen–viii and 65:25, the prophet lists numerous animals while describing the eternal kingdom of God. God's promises portray a earth to come in which animals will know the peace they too have longed for (Rom. eight:18–25).

I recall this gives us proficient reason to presume God volition fill up the new creation with redeemed image-bearers, elect angels, and all sorts of animals.

Ii Certainties

Will our animals be in heaven? It'south best to be honest and say we don't know. I wouldn't exist surprised if God, in generous wisdom, allows us to enjoy the visitor of familiar animals in glory. Simply we can be certain of 2 things.

Starting time, we tin can be sure that if it will bring God more glory and help us to relish him forever, then God will reunite us with our pets. God knows what good gifts to requite us, both now and forever (Luke 11:thirteen). As Paul reasons, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him upward for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32). God knows what's all-time for u.s., so we tin can trust him.

2nd, nosotros must guard our hearts and not permit love for pets or animals to diminish our affection for God. No matter how good a gift is, only he—not the gift itself—is worthy of our devotion. Pets included.

So how did I respond my kids?

I told them that we don't know exactly what happens to Nellie. But we do know God is good. Nosotros can trust him to do what's best, and I won't be a bit surprised if nosotros see our pets again in glory. If I'thou wrong, that'due south fine. There'south no serious doctrine in danger, nor are my children's hopes tied to anything other than God's wisdom in dealing with us, his own beloved children.

Source: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-happens-to-pets-when-they-die/

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