Loss

Loss.

It's a deep, deep emotion that can't always be explained, but it can definitely be felt.

Loss is messy, just like these thoughts I'm trying to communicate.

It's something we all face at one point or another in our lives.

Some more than others.

Even the most healthy, successful, all together person [do they even exist?] will experience seasons of loss.

The loss of a relationship. The loss of a job. The loss of a baby. The loss of a dream. The loss of health. The loss of dignity. The loss of your home. The loss of your virginity. The loss of a family pet. The loss of control. The loss of a limb. The loss of your sound mind. The loss of peace and joy. The loss of your wallet. The loss of direction and motivation. The loss of trust. The loss of life. The loss of a dream. The loss of memory. The loss of a family member.

Loss comes to us all.

Maybe right now the biggest thing you have recently lost is the TV remote or your car keys. For some, that's a big deal and can cause stress and strain on your emotions as you rack your brains to remember where you lost it.

For others, you wish the loss of your keys was the loss you were facing right now, as you crawl into bed at night feeling weary after another day of loss staring you in the face! Tormenting you, teasing you and offering you a road of pain and pity.

Loss is grief.

And grief is painful. It's a pain that reaches to the deepest part of who you are. A place so deep, you may not have known was even there, before you felt the despair of the loss.

And now, you feel it, and it hurts so bad that you don't know how it will ever not hurt again.

It changes you. You don't want it to, but it does.

It's invisible pain. It's hard to explain.

To the outside world everything looks fine. People think you're OK, when in reality, you're private pain is sucking the life out of you, from the inside.

It's a difficult road to walk. It's often very lonely and only a few close people are able to connect with you on this journey.

Many are insensitive, wrapped up in their own world, unwilling to acknowledge your pain. Some are just plain nosey, wanting all your information, but don't have the capacity or empathy to support you in this journey. Yet there will be those who literally crawl into the darkest place, right there with you, and they will stay until you feel the warmth and see the light again.

Hang on to those people, they are rare treasures, gifts sent straight from Heaven, to strengthen your frame and help you laugh again. They are the hands and feet of Jesus, embracing you, and leading you through the chaos and trauma.

Loss is a difficult journey to navigate, but, if you choose to not be afraid to deal with it head on, you will find so much beauty and freedom.

Loss is real.

You will experience it in this life, but it does not have to define you.

You don't have to carve an identity out of  loss. If you do that, you cannot live.

I don't know what you believe, but I know what I believe to be true. My God is the God of the brokenhearted. He will be your refuge when you feel beaten and battered by the pain of this world. He wants you to hide yourself in Him. 'Come away and rest in Me', He says.

He's the God who weeps when one of His children is hurting. Friend, He weeps with you.

His love is healing. His love is freeing. His love is pure and perfect. His love is what you need. Not just today, but, every single day for the rest of your life.

Will you open your heart to Him? Will you let Him flood every part of your being and bring healing, peace and joy? It's OK to go through seasons of grief and weariness, but after He's strengthened you, it's time to take His hand and walk with Him back into the joy that He offers you. He won't neglect you, He won't leave you broken or alone. Joy will come again. You'll laugh again. You'll dance again. This is His promise to you.

I don't know what you're going through, but I know what I've been through, and I know you need to hear this today.

It's OK to grieve, it's OK to take your time to heal. But He [Jesus] is right there in the middle of the mess, His wrap around presence is holding you, carrying you, lifting you to a safe and secure place. He wants to heal your broken heart. He wants to restore the parts that you feel are dead forever. He wants to wipe away your tears and give you joy.

Joy is strength. It's like a steel rod that holds your frame together, causing you to stand when you want to crumble. Joy is on the journey back to life.

Sometimes I wish I never had to experience loss. I wish it wasn't so common in my life. I wish that things were easier, simpler, not so challenging, not so heartbreaking. But, then I remember it's in the times I've been at my most broken that I've felt Him the closest.

Literally, God the Father, Jesus the Son and precious Holy Spirit, wrapping me up, consuming me with all He is. Me in Him and Him in me.

Loss is part of life and I'm learning to embrace it. It's not until I come to the end of myself, empty and surrendered, that I can fully be filled with all He is. 'Lord, I surrender again, I give up my rights, my plans, my dreams, I want You and nothing else. Holy Spirit fill me with your fullness.' This is one of my daily prayers.

To the one who really needed to hear this today, I might not be able to be with you in person, or even be able to physically help you on your journey, but, I hope you know that in the Spirit realm, I'm right there with you, sitting with you and telling you 'you'll get through this'. And, Jesus, IS right there with you too. He's got you and He's going to make the broken parts beautiful. 🖤

Isaiah 51:3 NLT

'The Lord [Jesus Himself] will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren wilderness like the garden of the Lord . Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.'

Psalm 34:18 TPT

'The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain, and he is always ready to restore the repentant one.'