RESPONDING TO LIFE’S LOSSES
Growing in the Season of Life
“Sometimes something useless happens on earth. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people…”
Ecclesiastes 8:14 (NCV)
1. RELEASE MY GRIEF.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
“… Pour out your heart to God, for he is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
2. RECEIVE FROM OTHERS.
“Carry each other’s burdens…” Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
“By helping each other with your troubles, you… obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NCV)
“Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings…” Hebrew 12:15 (TLB)
3. REFUSE TO BE BITTER.
“[Some people] have no happiness at all; they live and die with a bitter heart.” Job 21:25 (GNT)
“Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you… it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” Hebrew 12:15b (TLB)
The Antidote:
* ACCEPT what cannot be changed.
“… Reach out to God … then face the world again, firm and courageous…” Job 11:13; 15
* FOCUS on what is LEFT, not what is lost.
“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you…” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (TLB)
4. REMEMBER WHAT IS IMPORTANT.
Jesus: “… Life is not measured by how much one owns.” Luke 12:15 (NCV)
“We brought nothing into the world, [and] we can take nothing out [of it].” 1 Timothy 6:7 (NCV)
5. RELY ON CHRIST.
“… I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens … I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (NCV)
HOW TO RELY ON CHRIST?
* LEAN on Christ for Stability!
“Those who trust in the Lord are steady as Mount Zion, unmoved by any circumstance.” Psalm 125:1 (TLB)
“You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend on you…” Isaiah 26:3 (NCV)
“Such a [person] will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that [God] will take care of him.” Psalm 112:6-7 (TLB)
* LISTEN to Christ for Direction!
“… I know what I am planning for you,’ says the LORD. `I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.'” Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)
* LOOK to Christ for Salvation!
“God is our protection and our strength. [For] He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2 (NCV)
“… We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it … we saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us … And he did help us and saved us… and we expect him to do it again and again.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (TLB)