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The dictionary defines it as “the condition of being deprived or bereaved of something or someone”. There isn’t anyone who hasn’t experienced it in one form or another. We all have that in common. Yet, there are so many different kinds of loss and so many ways to feel it that the effect it has on each person is unique.

We have all had situations when we lost things. I remember the day my dad accidentally threw out a bag filled with my favorite stuffed animals. It wasn’t his fault since they were in a garbage bag and he thought it was trash. But, that didn’t dull the sense of loss for me as a young girl.

In my 20’s, I was devastated by the loss of all my journals and books of writing from over a ten year period. I felt as if I had lost a piece of myself, and to this day I feel grief over that misfortune.

Over time, there can be circumstances that result in a loss of security. Some of these include the end of a relationship (loss of love), a frightening medical diagnosis (loss of health) or a husband being laid off (loss of job and income). Others have lost their homes or good reputation. All of these things can rattle our faith and shake our sense of security.

For many, the devastation may be particularly intense if it involves the loss of innocence at the hands of another. Or perhaps, it was a betrayal of trust that causes us to grieve deeply what “could have been”.

At some point in the course of our lives, we will all be impacted by the loss of people that are close to us. Losing my grandfather and great aunt, who was a rock in my life, left a void that is difficult to fill. I have lost friends along the way, and whether it is due to simple relocation or possibly a misunderstanding that caused hard feelings, the feeling of loss is equally tough to deal with.

Just recently, we lost our Pastor and his family. Although they are only moving on to another ministry that God has called them to, we still feel sadness at no longer having them in our lives on a regular basis.

So, where does this bring us? When we have suffered some great loss and it seems too painful to carry on, how do we find the strength to pick up the pieces and move ahead once more? We are filled with questions, haunting memories and the pain of grief. We may even wonder if we will recover, rediscover how to laugh, trust, or ever be emotionally whole again.

The Father is waiting for us to lay the burden of loss at His feet. He promises us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” He will be there in the times of grief. He understands the emptiness of loss, and it is His strength that holds us up when we can’t do it on our own. Scripture even tells us in Joel 2:25 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.”

Yes, as human beings with deep emotions, we know that loss will come and that it will bring pain. But as believers, we also know that in Christ, we find strength, grace, restoration and guidance. (Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”)

Take your grief to the throne room. Offer the pain of your loss to the Father in the same way a child would run to her Daddy in a moment of despair. He will hold you as you cry. He will give you strength. He will restore your soul.

Copyright L. Joy Douglas