Husband Uses Christian Wife's Death as Powerful Opportunity To Spread News of Jesus
Losing a family member is extremely difficult. It’s not uncommon to feel sad, confused, or even angry.
But one family is choosing not only to praise God after the death of one of their family members, but also to share their journey of grief and hope so that they can help others view their own loss in light of “God’s economy.”
Wynter Evans Pitts was a mother, niece, cousin and friend. She loved people well and always pointed them toward Jesus. She was also the founder of a Christ-centered magazine for young girls called “For Girls Like You.”
So when the 38-year-old woman unexpectedly died in her sleep on July 24, 2018, her family was understandably distraught.
“Feeling that sadness, shock, mixture of both, heartache. Seeing a young man weep over his young wife,” Wynter’s uncle, Dr. Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, recalled. “And then the worst part of it for me was him going to tell his girls, who were at the hospital too. And then to hear the wailing from four girls, that this was so unbelievable.”
The family has been extremely transparent with their pain and grief but has also not failed to share the hope and comfort that they’ve been able to find in their faith.
Just a day after Wynter’s death, Dr. Evans along with his four children, Priscilla Shirer, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Anthony Jr. Evans, and Jonathan Evans sat in front of his congregation to allow the congregation to listen in on the family’s “counseling session.”
When Jonathan asked Dr. Evans how he keeps going after not only losing his niece the night before but also a brother just six months prior, the pastor revealed how much his belief in God gives him hope.
“I do believe she’s in a better place. I do believe in the sovereignty of God. I do believe in the goodness of God,” he began. “There’s a belief intact that I’m wrapped around because I don’t know where I would be with all of the situations in life if I didn’t have an anchor.”
He also explained that faith in God should not be defined as a not a feeling, but is something “demonstrated in your movement.” He pointed back to Jonathan Pitts, Wynter’s husband, who was crying while praising God.
After telling his four daughters that their mother had died, he immediately comforted them by telling them where she was now, with the Lord.
He then immediately began singing a song of praise. The rest of the family soon joined in.
“He had a faith of praise even though a disappointment of circumstances,” he said. “So most people have more faith than they think they have, but the emotions cloud whether it’s faith or not.”
Jonathan Pitt’s Instagram only sheds more light on how he is able to grieve the loss of his wife while still resting firmly in his faith.
“You can never know for sure if you are young or old because you don’t know when the Lord will call you home,” he said. “So if Wynter’s life and sudden passing teaches you anything, learn to live every day in light of that fact. God is a good father. He did not stop loving Wynter when she left this earth. His love only got more real to her. I find solace in that fact.”
Dr. Evans also had a message of hope and encouragement for those who tend to feel angry or ask “why” questions when difficult things pop up.
“It’s okay to feel the pain of God disappointing you,” he said. “You gotta have the right theology of death ’cause if you don’t, death is only a negative.”
“When in God’s economy, it’s not only a negative. In God’s economy, he makes an astounding statement. He says, ‘Blessed is the Lord with the death of his saints.’ That is, he is excited to have Wynter with him,” he continued.
Jonathan, Wynter’s cousin, also went to Instagram to share the image that is comforting him while he grieves. He wrote, “There is a certain light, spark, a beautiful presence now missing. I want it back, we all do.”
“However, I now know that God wanted it, too. He wanted her in His presence and I can’t fault Him for that,” he continued. “I actually admire Him for thinking so highly of her to want her now. I smile at the thought of Him smiling at her. He took her out of our picture, and added her to His presence. And that, somehow makes me feel joy in sadness.”
Even Wynter’s oldest daughter, Alena, shared her journey of grief and hope. “My heart hurts like never before. Comfort seems far. Anxiety is extremely present,” she wrote.
“I serve a big God. Obstacles will be thrown at me but my God is still there. He knows what he’s doing and he’s got a plan. I say this not by sheer will but through faith,” she continued.
“But I’m reminded He’s in control. So even as I weep and grieve, I can smile with joy because I’ll see her again.”
The amazing faith and transparency this family has shown in such a tragic time are truly inspiring!
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Pitts/Evans family as they continue to wrestle with their pain and praise God through it all.
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