NEW BEGINNINGS: Life After Loss

Scriptures: Isaiah 61:2-3, Psalms 119:49-50, Deuteronomy 31:8, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

HOPE FOR THE POSSIBLE

Is it possible to experience life after loss? Have you ever experienced grief and wondered how on earth it could work together for good? Grief of a loved one… or a season… can be present in various forms. Regardless of the loss (person, position, thing), life can seem blurry amid the process. While writing this, I’m reminded of two situations where experiencing loss took me for a loop: Losing my voice of authority in my children’s lives (when they left the nest and began making their own way) and losing my parents (the hardest of all). Although I knew those things were inevitable… I still underestimated my response when it happened in real time.

My parents’ passing and becoming an empty nester happened around the same time. I have no words to describe the emptiness I felt daily. However, through the nuances of grieving, I unveiled some hidden aspects of myself. I truly understand the feeling of being overwhelmed by its harsh reality, but I want to encourage you that God will use what’s left of our lives to fill the void that we once thought was not fillable. While loss can be excruciatingly painful, it also holds the potential to be a powerful teacher. If we allow ourselves to be open to its lessons, we unlock the door for something greater than ourselves to emerge from the ashes. Our heavenly Father promises never to leave or forsake us, which is a hope-reviving promise. We serve a merciful God, who is the source of comfort in every season of our lives. His Word says that as He comforts us, we can do the same for others. There is a message and a ministry within every season of loss.

Scriptures: Proverbs 17:22, Matthew 5:7, Isaiah 57:18-19, Psalms 103:2-5, Psalms 119:105

LIGHT… LAUGHTER… and HOPE 

Usually, the valleys in our lives ignite us to draw nigh to the Word of God. Let me just say the magnet that pulled me to God’s Word was adversity. Difficult times sparked my desire and thirst for the Word. Neither occurred when things were going well; it was the opposite. King David alluded to the same when he said, “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:71). God’s Word is a light and lamp of hope in our darkest times. 

I am reminded of a season when God showed me and my sisters how powerful laughter can be. In 2014 (May 8th), our Father… the Patriarch of our family… went to be with the Lord. Though he had lived a long, fruitful life, and we had time to prepare for his last days… it still hit us like a ton of bricks when he passed. I felt like a “floating torso” without an anchor. That is the best way I can describe it. A few days after he passed, while sitting with our mom… (who was a bit confused and not fully aware that dad was no longer with us), it seemed as if every word that came out of her mouth was hilarious. I’m not sure if it was what she said or how she said what she said, but once we started laughing… we could not stop; it really was contagious. 

Researchers show that a cheerful heart can diffuse tension and anxiety while simultaneously helping individuals see things in a new light. Looking back, the laughter infused us with a spirit of joy. Right in the middle of our grieving, God brought laughter to our souls. Being infused with joyful memories enabled us to navigate the entire bereavement process without giving in to paralyzing sorrow. What we thought would be impossible, the Holy Spirit made possible. We were empowered to carry out our divinely assigned task. Laughter truly is like medicine; it can be a lifeline of hope and brighten the darkest of days.

Scriptures: Isaiah 40:31, Romans 15:4, Psalms 46:1-3, Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8, James 1:2-4

THE CLIMB 

During difficult times, a joyful spirit helps lift our gaze above what’s in front of us and seeks God’s wisdom to maneuver that season well. It can also encourage us to reset our mindset and push toward our God-assigned destiny while resisting the temptation of becoming frozen in the posture of our pain. God does not expect us to gloss over our agony and distress as though it does not exist. However, trusting Him and staying hopeful is expected. I am a testament that hiding scripture in our hearts… and focusing on the beauty of the love and laughter shared by our parents ignited healing for our souls and hope for our preordained future. 

The mortal mind cannot make sense of grief or suffering. Yet, amidst life’s challenges, finding joy in laughter and making positive declarations become essential to nurturing hope and faith. Remember… life is a journey filled with both highs and lows. In the inevitable “valley seasons” of life, finding solace and guidance in God’s Word becomes paramount. This divine counsel serves as a beacon, igniting a fire within us, enabling us to persevere and continue through each trial. Think of it as a study guide for the upcoming tests and trials. Every valley holds invaluable lessons, shaping us for the mountaintop experiences. 

If we allow the Word to fortify us during the low points in our lives, we’ll become equipped to endure the uphill journey. Empowered by the strength found in God’s promises, we can navigate our race with the joy that stems from our faith, as stated in Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” 

“The Climb” represents a period of mind renewal and transformation. By embracing the challenges and seeking refuge in God’s Word, we grow and emerge stronger, ready to conquer the peaks that await us.

Scriptures: Ephesians 1:8-10, Romans 8:28-31, Hebrews 4:15-16, Psalms 34:7, Proverbs 19:21, Ephesians 3:20

PURPOSE IN BROKEN PIECES 

Have you ever been stuck on what was… totally blind to the possibilities of what could be? Remember, remnants have potential; God is a master craftsman. He can take what remains and resurrect something beyond our wildest imagination. However, we must firmly believe in His power and trust Him with our brokenness. He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or think.

God will never ask us for anything we don’t have or that He has not provided for us. He only requires what he supplies! All we need to make it to the other side of loss is what we have left. Standing toe-to-toe with trouble often pushes us to consider the leftovers as a viable option in the recovery process. So, what are the leftovers? They are the things we’ve had in our possession but have yet to recognize their value (it was becoming a published author and speaker for me).

As I sought relief from the weight of brokenness, I invited Father God into my hurt, leading to an awakening of gifts essential for the Kingdom’s needs. Surprisingly, God revealed His purpose for my existence right in the middle of my seemingly “shipwrecked” life. While studying Acts 27, the last verse spoke volumes to me (“cling to the broken pieces and swim to safety”). I realized that overcoming adversity had nothing to do with what I lost, but everything to do with what remained. It ignited my passion for encouraging others to dream big and to become everything God intended.

Hardships taught me the value of growth when I allowed it to serve as a teacher. Adversity can expand our physical and spiritual capacity. The overflow of blessings we gain in the process isn’t solely for our benefit, but to share with others facing similar struggles. The hope we offer the world is birthed from the trials we endure and conquer. The crisis of a loss can be an “incubator for greater.” So yes, broken pieces are purposeful.