Surviving Loss

     What do you say to someone going through a loss.  You may have gone through it yourself at some point in your life.  However, everyone’s loss is different; everyone’s need is different; everyone’s relationship with the one that has passed on is different; everyone’s loneliness or void in life from that loss is different; everyone’s grieving process is different.

     As with any loss there is truly a void, and this void needs to be filled with something good.  There must be a mind-set; a mind-set for joy in life, regardless of the circumstances.  God is in control, and He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  I believe, herein, lies the answer we seek.

     When someone or even your most treasured pet passes away, God has a reason.  He is taking care of that loved one during their season of need.   Yet, God’s plan for the one suffering through the loss is for them to fill that void with love for Him.  He still has plans to give you hope and a future.   God truly wants you  to enjoy every moment.  How do I know this?  God says it in John 15: 11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”  He follows it with the commandment, “Love each other as I have loved you.”  To do this we have to follow the commandment to love God and other people.  We must ‘set our minds’ to look outside of ourselves- outside of our loss.   Keep in mind that loving other people, means loving yourself as well.  Be good to yourself, allowing yourself to have your moments of grief but set your mind to continue to enjoy life.     

     In Joyce Meyer’s book, Power Thoughts, she states: With Jesus Himself speaking and praying such powerful words about His desire for us to have joy, how could we ever doubt that God wants us to be happy and enjoy our lives.  If it is God’s desire that we enjoy life, then why are so many people miserable and unhappy?  Perhaps it is because we fail to set our minds to enjoy life.  We can easily fall into a pattern of surviving and enduring rather than enjoying.  But a new mind-set will release you to begin enjoying life like never before.  The more you enjoy life the more enjoyable you will be.  Meditate on and say repeatedly, “I live in the present and enjoy each moment.”
     To reinforce the fact that God intents for us to be joyful we find in John 10:10:  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."   

     I understand there must be a grieving process in death, but we must not allow our joy to be stolen and to fall into a pattern of surviving and enduring without “setting our minds” upon enjoying life. 

     There is a quote I often use in my own life when it seems I have to pull myself up and regain my own “mind-set”:  “If God brought you to it, He will bring you through it.”  God will, indeed, give you the victory through this journey!   I also use one of my favorite scripture verses which is yet another reminder that God wants us to have joy in our daily lives.  "This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." 
     Through the dark hours and the lonely days of loss, there is a hand stronger than ours which is reaching down to us.  He can restore your joy as you set your mind to reach up and accept it.