Dear Ones,
Hope you have a blessed day. I plan to bake today and study and later we have Bible study.  We had a good Lenten service last night.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We all experiences losses and need courage to not ignore what has happened, but to feel the pain and embrace our losses. That is not easy, and some of us tend to deny the pain or try to numb it rather than to embrace it and let it teach us. It is rather fruitless to deny it, or to blame others or even ourselves, but how much better to be open to what the Lord will teach us through our loss.

Some losses come suddenly, like in the death of a loved ones when our hopes and dreams seem dashed. Job was a man who was very wealthy and experienced the loss of everything in one day including his ten children. He didn’t blame God but worshiped Him. He said in Job:21-22, “God gives, God takes. God’s name be ever blessed. Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God.” How do we get to be like Job? Our immediate response in such a situation may be to first ask God, “How could you let this happen to me? Where are you?” Others may ignore their pain by being overly busy, drinking, or working all the time, but it is far better for our health and wholeness if we face our pain. How do we do that?

We can be honest before the Lord and can even shout to Him about our pain. We can tell Him honestly of our feelings, not stuffing them but processing them with his direction. Often we have to wait and be still before Him to listen as we recognize we are not in control. It is humbling for we realize our limits and know we need to grow in grace. It may move us to be honest with others about our difficulties and also to accept their weaknesses. Then our losses will cause us to lean into the Lord and to rest in His mercy as He transforms us to be more like Him.

Challenge for today: Experience your losses with God’s help and be changed by Him.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy