Do you ever get depressed about dysfunctional or broken relationships? Death brings its unique depths of suffering.
Have you ever “suffered” so much “loss” in this life, you think you’ll break into a million pieces if you lose just one more thing?
I have.
I woke up the other morning with a profound sense of sadness and loss. Yes, me- who is surrounded by blessing. What in the world do I have to be depressed about!? I have a wonderful life. But I also have a life that is littered with loss.
God wants us to know something about suffering and loss:
we will ALL suffer loss in this life, but ALL is not lost.
This is a God promise.
[Tweet “Nothing is lost that is not #restored to you from the hand of God. #loss”]
I have a brother, whom I love so much. I don’t know how it’s happened, but our relationship is fractured; broken. I haven’t talked to him for ages. It’s like he’s dropped off the map.
My telephone calls, texts, FB messages, birthday and Christmas wishes go unacknowledged. I have no idea if the old address I have is even where he and his family still live. If our Dad died today, I wouldn’t be able to get a hold of him. It makes me beyond sad to think that the relationship with “my little bubby” has unraveled to the point of no contact at all!
As I started my day, I was stewing; trying to figure out what I’d done or what I could do, to mend, to reinstate and restore this relationship.
I had worked myself up into a tizzy- or into a downward spiral – however you want to look at it. I finally began to pray and give it over to God.
“God- my heart can’t take this. I feel like I’ve lost my brother and I don’t know what to do. How did our relationship get so broken?”
And then, God- He is so amazing and kind and gracious and sweet! Yes, He is sweet to our bitterness- He spoke clearly to my heart. Cindy:
[Tweet “”You may have suffered #LOSS but all is not LOST. God #restores! #suffering “”]
That is unbelievable treasure to my broken heart.
We ALL suffer loss many times throughout life- through separation, death, illness, divorce, relationships, financial, miscarriage, our health, our identity….. Sometimes it’s crippling loss. The anchor of hope is, our loss is held in God’s hand. When our daughter, Kristin, died, we refused to say, we had “lost” her to cancer. How can you ever “lose” something when you know where to find it?
God tenders our losses.
Our Heavenly Father not only sees our losses- He’s promised to do something about it; in His timing- in His perfect Wisdom and Way!
When your loss gets to be too much and it’s threatening to overwhelm you, just look at the promises from God’s heart to yours!
Acts 3:21- 21 For Jesus will remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.”
God’s promise is He is restoring ALL things to His original intent, through the sacrifice and redemption of Jesus Christ.
I Peter 5:10- 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.
There are many more scriptures you can find on restoration, but the point is God is a God who loves, creates, and restores. Our losses are not beyond His miraculous touch! Nothing is to difficult for Him.
So, for now, when I’m overwhelmed and sad, I’m running to rest in His promises that ALL losses are going to be transformed and restored somehow- someway- by the Ultimate Restorer Himself! That’s His promise!
Dear Abba Father- I ask that you touch each one reading this with the truth of your promises. You are not just a God of salvation but of wholeness and restoration! Please give each one courage to wait on your beautiful timing and peace to trust you are good and kind. Thank you that your plans are beyond what we can ask or think! In Jesus name- Amen!
Surprising Treasure– God is not a God of loss but a God of RESTORATION. He will make ALL things new!
Revelation 22: Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Earth has no sorrow heaven can’t cure- David Crowder- Come as you are!
So honest. So hopeful. Great post.
love you=- so thankful He is powerful GOOD!
Thank you so much for this insight and message today Cindy!! I have been praying for my husband and sister to reconnect and mend ways, however it is getting harder and harder to do as it seems like neither of them care, it’s sad!! Thank you for hope!!
Aww- hugs Dawn- It’s hard when broken relationships happen to us but sometimes I think it’s doubly hard when we’re watching the brokenness happen! This truth God spoke to my heart has helped me let go- and put our relationship into God’s hands. In His Time and In His ways- He will break down the barriers and restore relationships. God is going to bring peace and beautiful unity- someday- won’t that be wonderful? Until then we rest in His goodness. He will accomplish perfect peace on this earth- even in relationships.
Dear, dear Cindy, I cannot express how you moved me with this treasure. I hate to think of you ever experiencing a “profound sense of sadness and loss” in your heart. I know the feeling, and it can be overwhelming. But, you have persevered in your digging for the Lord’s surprising treasures and I am so grateful for your ability to share with and encourage the rest of us with your writing. I’ve been thinking along similar lines, as I prepare my next Salt & Light Report: “How have we managed to survive through years of one agonizing struggle after another? And, how can we complain in light of all the tremendous suffering world wide?” Thank God for our Good Shepherd who carries us when we fall by the wayside!
Sweet Edy! We are kindred sisters! If it were not for His goodness AND the promise of His power to restore all things……
I remember, after my mom had passed away when I was 23, I used to call my Aunt for a sympathetic, listening ear when I was hurting. I’d always apologize and say, “I know there’s other people out there with worse problems than mine, but I just hurt so bad right now.” She would tell me- “a bellyache is still a bellyache.” That little phrase stuck with me 🙂 All people suffer. All need comfort.
I love your line of thinking for the Salt and Light Report. The older I get, the more I struggle with your two questions. The losses just keep coming- but how can I complain in light of the magnitude of the world’s suffering?!!! And how can I complain when the God of Glory has moved everything on heaven and earth to secure my present and future?
But He is so wonderful not to chide or rebuke us for our sorrows. Instead, He enters into our sorrows and pain and walks with us, comforts and encourages! What a Savior! hugs Edy.
Yes, yes, what a Savior! He is our Ultimate Treasure; and you are one of His treasured angel-messengers. I just love you all to pieces, Cindy! 🙂
Cindy,
I feel the pain of your hurt and loss as you share. I also have memories of happy times spent at your home with your family. I will be praying for restoration and healing.
Thanks Sheryl! I’m rejoicing that restoration and healing will come- in His perfect timing! 🙂 So thankful He helps us navigate the “sad” times of life!
Hi Cindy. Thanks for this post. In the midst of infertility, MS and my Mum’s death from cancer last year, I’m so glad that God is a God of redemption. In the midst of loss, He gives me strength each day and He brings beauty out of the pain. So glad for the hope that we have in Him.
Rachel- thank you so much for dropping by!
I’m so sorry for all your loss and suffering.
It can be an avalanche of pain- but the beauty of the Lord rises from the ashes.
Praying for you today that He will surround you with the joy of His presence and comfort you daily with the strength of His hope of full restoration!
Blessings and hugs-
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for sharing your precious heart with us. I could relate so much with how you have been feeling. This year I have seen many losses, but I’m so grateful that our Saviour promises to never leave us and helping us through the valley. Blessings.
Sweet Anita! Loss is reality but the transcendent reality is His love and promise to heal and restore. I’m so thankful for Him- and I’m thankful you know Him and He is with you! May the Lord wrap you up in His gentle presence today and give you His joy. Hugs and blessings!