Reaching For God's Hand in Times of Loss

At some point in each of our lives, we may find our world being violently shaken. Such traumatic experiences as a devestating illness, a debilitating accident, desertion by a spouse, the death of a loved one, criminal violence, financial ruin, or a natural disaster can occur with disarming suddenness.

Circumstances don't have to be catastrophic to be overwhelming. We can experience things that are nowhere near as life-threatening as what I just described, but can seem every bit as frightening. Some people view public speaking as a terrifying experience. For others, confronting a difficult person, having to make a dreaded phone call, or facing the daily challenge of an eating disorder or an addiction are earthshaking challenges.

Sometimes the pileup of many little things - each one alone being relatively harmless - becomes more than we can handle. Such things as stress in the workplace, uncomfortable social situations, or anything else that brings expectations that we feel we can't live up to can fill us with overwhelming anxiety. No matter what the specifics, the key to overcoming these kinds of overwhelming circumstances is to walk step by step with God through them.

When we set our anchor in the Lord, we will not be carried away by the storms that threaten to overtake us.

Being afraid doesn't mean that God is not with you, that you are out of God's will, or that you are a spiritual weakling. It could be a sign that you are in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing, or that something is out of order in your life. It may also be an indication of enemy attack or a warning of a threat to your safety. If fear comes upon you without any apparent reason, ask God to show you what it means and where it is coming from. It may be a signal from the Lord to pray.

Never underestimate the significance of praying through any unexpected and unexplained fear. Don't ignore your fear, but refuse to be controlled by it. Any sign of fear should always be a call to prayer. The moment you feel it, draw immediately close to God. Get a sense of His presence and leading and allow His love to fully penetrate your situation. In the darkness of your earth-shaking circumstances, reach up to God and know that His mighty hand can reach forth to yours faster than the speed of light.

Everyone experiences loss. It's a part of life. It's the part we don't like and wish we never had to go through. But we all will. When we walk in the light of God's resurrecting power, He can soothe our pain, heal our wounds, and fill the empty places in our heart.

During the dark times of loss, whether it's the death of a loved one, a crippling disease or injury, divorce, a straying child, the end of a relationship, or the loss of home and finances, we grieve because someone or something we love is no longer part of us. Life as we once knew it is forever destroyed. These kinds of losses can bring such pain that we wonder if we will survive them, and, if we do, will we ever feel anything other than the pain? Will we hurt forever? Will life every feel normal again?

While every act of compassion, sympathy, and love shown to us by others can be a great comfort and help to lift us out of our grief, only the healing touch of God can completely restore us again. We can't expect mere humans to say words that will make the pain go away. It's the love in people's hearts, expressed however eloquently or awkwardly, that brings us comfort.

When we have suffered a deep loss, only God can sustain us, take the pain away, and make us whole again.

If you suffer any kind of loss, don't try to get your arms around it. Let God get His arms around you. He knows your suffering and will give you the comfort of His presence and the healing balm of His love.

If you will walk step by step with God through each day of your loss, in time this pain that seems to be without end will actually subside and you will know happiness again.

When a tragedy happens, it's normal to feel that life has come to a complete standstill. But actually it's life as you knew it that has stopped. Your new life, without that which was lost, is going forward. You just can't see it yet. Even though it's hard to imagine the future being any different than it is at that moment, healing and restoration are happening. You won't always feel this way. There will be an end. The loss may have been sudden, but the transition to your new life must be traveled one step at a time.

In times of loss, reach up and take your Heavenly Father's hand. He wants to comfort you and shoulder your grief. He wants to walk with you and bear your burdens. Seek His steadying arm moment by moment and He will draw you closer to Him. Even if your well of tears seems to never run dry, continue to walk in the light of God's presence and you will make it through the river of grief to the other side. God will not only provide enough light for your next step, He will also enable you to take it.