“No Loss is Too Devastating” Part two of “Nothing’s Too Hard For God”
There was a college girl who wrote this letter to her Dad: Dear Dad, Sorry I haven’t written sooner. My arm really has been broken. I broke it, and my left leg, when I jumped from the second floor of my dormitory . . . when we had the fire. We were lucky. A young service station attendant saw the blaze and called the Fire Department. They were there in minutes. I was in the hospital for a few days. Paul, the service station attendant, came to see me every day. And because it was taking so long to get our dormitory livable again, I moved in with him. He has been so nice. I must admit I am expecting a baby, and the doctor said I have something he calls- a “social disease.” But don’t worry, Dad, the shots are working, and we have an abortion clinic nearby. Paul and I plan to get married just as soon as he can get a divorce. His five kids will probably live with us. I hope things are fine at home. I’m doing fine, and will write more when I get the chance. Love, Your daughter, Sally. PS. None of the above is true. But I did get a “C” in Sociology and flunked Chemistry. I just wanted you to receive the news in its “PROPER PERSPECTIVE.”
Philippians 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
We all face loss. Death. Divorce. Home. Friendship/Relationship. Loss of Job/Career. Health.
Example: San Antonio Spurs in 1996. They lost lots of games because David Robinson got injured. But those losses opened the door for them to pick Tim Duncan and that led to four NBA Championships.
1) Life is filled with losses that we do not understand.
Philippians 4:6, 7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A 24 year old young man named Ken gave his testimony.
I was a young teen aged boy when my parents divorced. I thought it was the end of my life. The loss of our family – the way we were supposed to be – was the most difficult thing I ever had to face. Why did this happen to me? Our family was not supposed to break up like this. Where would I go from here? Who can I trust? Who is my example? After about a year or so of grief and even blaming myself, I decided to totally surrender to God. It was then that I began to see the situation from a different perspective -as an overcomer. Even though I never fully understood why things happened the way they did, I knew that what the devil intended for harm, God intended for the good. Now, I am able to minister to broken families and help them see that life is difficult, but God can help us overcome!
About 12 years ago, I remember receiving a phone call from Delia Lewis. It was a Friday afternoon. She said with somewhat of an exciting tone of voice, “Pastor Randy, I just got fired from my job! The funny thing is that I am not upset, because I know that God has something better for me.” She just lost her job. Most people would have been devastated. But Delia knew that Nothing’s Too Hard For God. We all face different types of losses in life.
2) Loss Takes Us Through Grief
Whenever we face loss, we typically go through a grieving process.
Five Common Responses to Loss:
a) Denial “I can’t believe this is happening to me.” I John 3:19-20 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
b) Anger “Who is responsible for this happening to me?”
Anger is a normal result of the pain we feel in loss. We often lash out at others and may even be angry at God for a time. He understands our anger and does not abandon us. Just as a child may be angry with a parent for a time, the parents does not abandon the child.
Ephesians 4:26, 27 In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.
c) Bargaining - “What could I have done to prevent this?
It is not unusual for us to blame ourselves or think we could have done more to prevent the loss we experience.
Proverbs 16:3, 4 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends—
d) Depression – “I can’t go on.”
Sometimes the loss is so overwhelming that we think we cannot go on.
Isaiah 40:29-31. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
e) Acceptance – “This has happened; I must move forward.”
Acceptance of what has happen to is us is not approval but the realization that it has happen and we can move forward in life with God’s help.
Isaiah 26:3
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
3) You may lose a battle, but you don’t have to lose the war!
Whether you realize it or not, you are in spiritual warfare.
There is a battle going on for your soul and for your life.
The enemy is constantly throwing negative circumstances your way to entice you to give up.
Three Promises from God when you deal with a loss . . .
a) The Lord can hear you.
Ps.7:6 says, I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
There is a story about a man who lost his wife, leaving him to be both mother & father to a six-year-old son. After her funeral father & son came home, both feeling so alone & grieved by their loss. That night as they prepared for bed, the boy sked, "Daddy, may I sleep in your room tonight, too?" But neither one could seem to go to sleep. They both tossed & turned until late in the night. Finally, the little boy asked, "Daddy, are you looking at me? Because if you are, I think I can go to sleep." And the father answered, "Yes son, I’m looking at you." The little boy started at last to rest & finally fell asleep. After he was asleep the father got out of bed, walked over to the window & pulled back the curtain. He looked up into the starry sky & said, "Father, are you looking at me? Because if you are, I think I can rest & be at peace."
b) The Lord can help you.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
c) The Lord can heal you.
Psalm 30:2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.