Happy Monday!! This is the day the Lord has made!
As I have mentioned in previous thoughts, the last 15 months or so, with an undetermined amount of time to still come, we have faced loss and hardships that we would never have even thought about a couple of years ago. When I think back to just 1 year ago, I could say that I didn’t even know anyone who had been stricken with the coronavirus and certainly not been affected personally.
Oh, how a year can change things! I have lost 1 family member; I was down with it for several weeks and so many people that I know have had it. Jobs have been lost and isolation has stolen our lives, literally. There are so many other effects to families, marriages and lives that we may never hear about.
So, in a time like this, what do we do? Too often, you see the “blame game”. If he hadn’t done that or she hadn’t said that, my life could’ve/would’ve been different. But really, is that true? Possibly, but what if WE take responsibility for our feelings and how we react to external factors?
You say that won’t give you your job back. You are absolutely right, but it will affect the way you handle it, not only personally, but in your interactions with all of those closest to you. Could it possibly open up an entirely new door for you?
You say it won’t bring your loved one back. You are absolutely right, and I am so sorry for your loss. I pray your loved one was in a relationship with our Lord and is now in a much better place than this world we live in. If not, I pray you take the opportunity to be sure you are and even become ever more aware of how important it is to share that eternal hope with others.
You say you are afraid of dying. Refer to the previous paragraph. When we know our good, good Father, we have no need to be afraid. Personal disclaimer: the fact that we aren’t afraid of dying doesn’t release us from the responsibility of taking the best care of ourselves that we can and protecting others.
God is ALWAYS here for us, everyone of us. He may not answer every prayer the way you want but He sees the bigger plan, the overall picture that we can’t even imagine. Trust Him.
Pray Unceasingly!!
Lois
Loss. Trauma. Disappointment
YouVersion Devotional
We all go through hardships in life…situations that take us by surprise…circumstances that attempt to keep us awake at night with worry, heartache, or despair.
A natural disaster. An unforeseen betrayal. A sudden illness. Finding out your spouse has been unfaithful and/or wants a divorce. A horrible car accident. Job loss. Loss of a home. Marital and family problems. Extended family and in-law difficulties and conflicts. Blended family challenges. A child’s rebellion. Mental illness (yourself or a loved one). Divorce. Life struggles, difficulties, and PTSD from serving in the military. Assault. Abuse. Rejection. Financial devastation. Disabilities. Keeping your head above water as life tries to drown you.
The list of losses can go on and on…and even though they can be numerous, EACH situation is extremely painful to the one who is going through a heart-shattering situation at the present moment. Sometimes the heartache from a past loss is so deep, that years later, life is still an ongoing struggle.
How can God bring healing in the midst of loss, trauma, and disappointment? What about after the loss? What about when the event has passed…but you are still struggling with the shattered remnants of the aftermath? Can God truly bring healing and restore a person’s peace and joy? What if your situation never changes? Can you still find the peace and joy, and the ability to live a good life you so desperately crave?
Life can be incredibly painful but God is the final authority in and over our lives. He has the ability to work mightily in our lives…no matter the situation.
The bad news is: there is an enemy who has stolen from you, killed your peace, joy, and life, and attempted to destroy your hope and faith. The good news is: there is a loving God who wants to not only give you life…and bring you back to fully living life…but to also give you life abundantly. The deeper you dive into finding God’s heart and purpose, the greater He brings His ultimate good to the surface in your life. Seek God’s heart through every trauma, disappointment, and loss you face.
1 John 4:4 “Dear children, you belong to God. You have not accepted the teachings of the false prophets. That’s because the One who is in you is more powerful than the one who is in the world.”
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they can have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.”