"LOST RING" March 2 Devotion

THE LOST RING

People often think of grief or loss as the result of the loss of a loved one. But, grief can come from any kind of significant loss. It may be from the death of a loved one, but it could also come from the break-up of a marriage, or the result of being robbed, or from things such as the loss of a job or a loss of an item that has sentimental value to a person.

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS, the question was asked, "in the past five years, what kind of loss did you endure?" The results showed that we all have endured losses to one degree or another. The top three losses were:

1. 46% of voters had a loss of a relationship thru death

2. 46% of voters experienced a loss of health

3. 38% of voters experienced loss of a relationship thru separation. (which could be a break-up, a divorce or relocation)

Anything that a person loses that is near and dear to them will cause grief to some degree!


THE LOST RING

Have you ever lost something?



Recently, my son Jordan lost his class ring. At the age of 17, this class ring was one of very few valuable, precious possessions that he owns. This ring was an investment for Jordan! This particular ring that he wanted cost far more than what we were willing to pay for it. Therefore, Jordan had to work and save to pay for this ring.

Many of us have made investments; we have invested time, love and finances. Yet, we have suffered losses!


5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LOSS

1. LOSS IS A NORMAL PART OF LIFE

Grief is a normal mechanism that God has given us to help us deal with losses in our lives.

Even Jesus suffered grief!

2. DON'T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT LOSS

When Jordan lost his class ring, he had a variety of feelings. Frustration... because he could not find the ring, and then fear set in as he thought about having to tell us that he had lost his very expensive ring!

What feelings have you experienced in your loss?

3. GRIEF DOES NOT JUST "GO AWAY"

Grief does not just "go away". It is not like a bad cold that you just have to get over! You don't get over grief, in fact, grief is what helps you get THROUGH your loss.

Grief is much like a cut finger, it will heal but only after a period of time. A cut finger will sometimes leave a scar, our losses we endure will also leave a scar even after some healing has taken place.

4. ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT

Jordan searched and searched for that lost class ring for several weeks before finally telling us that he had lost it. We were just sick about his loss and disappointed in his carelessness, but we had to accept what we could not change.

In our losses, we need to accept our loss as well as the scars that it may leave

5. REFINED AND POLISHED

A couple of months had passed since Jordan lost his ring, but one day his shop teacher at School came to him and said he thought he had something that belonged to Jordan. IT WAS JORDAN'S RING! The teacher had spotted something shiny in the driveway of the shop, after digging a little further and pushing the dirt and mud away, it was discovered that the shiny thing was indeed Jordans lost ring. After some cleaning and polishing the ring seemed to not have one scratch on it. AMAZING! No telling how many vehicles ran that ring over in the driveway.

The loss in your life is genuine!
It is real!
and it hurts!!

Sometimes it cannot be changed, however, once you accept your loss God can use you and use your loss to minister to others. Acceptance and forgiveness now moves you into the REFINED stage. Just like Jordan's ring, the dirt (or the anger, remorse, bitterness, stress) is washed away with the love of Jesus and now you become a precious jewel that God can use!

In the book of Job in the Bible, we see that Job was a man that endured alot of loss, but yet he chose to not blame God and to continue to have faith.

Job's losses were great:

* Job 1:15: he lost all of his servants (his workforce)
* Job 1:16: he lost all of his sheep (his means of income)
* Job 1:19: he lost all of his children (his family)
* Job 2:9: he lost the belief, confidence and trust of his wife

In all of this, I love what Job 1:22 says:
"In all of this, Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong"

What losses have you endured?
Have you become refined and polished?

It is my prayer that this week you will ask God to help you in your loss and become the beautiful jewel that He can use!

Have a POLISHED week!

love, Laurie

YOUR OPINION MATTERS: Please vote in this week's poll, "In what area(s) do you feel most overloaded with responsibilities". Your opinion really does matter and most likely your opinion will show up in next weeks devotion!

THIS WEEKS SCRIPTURE:
2 PETER 3:9
"The Lord is not slow about His promises, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

THIS WEEKS QUOTE:

"Let us not be surprised when we have to face difficulties. When the wind blows hard on a tree, the roots stretch and grow the stronger. Let it be so with us. Let us not be weaklings, yielding to every wind that blows, but strong in spirit to resist." -AMY CARMICHAEL