Our family and friends have experienced so much loss, pain and suffering lately.
Everywhere I look I see loss.
- My father-in-law passed away a year ago. My mom 6 months ago.
- A friend lost her youngest son in a car accident yesterday.
- Another friend is caring for her youngest son who was in a head-on collision two days ago. Thankfully he is still with us – they came so close to losing him. He's in traction with 6 months of recovery ahead.
- My Marine son, Andrew, is planning to go fight ISIS this fall independently of the military – because our country isn't doing much to free the world of this threat. I don't want to lose him.
- My son-in-law just lost his job – out of the blue, no warning.
- Last month my other son had to be cut out of his truck after after being broadsided – but thankfully got out with just a hurt shoulder.
- How much loss is TOO MUCH LOSS? Loss is everywhere. How do we survive it? How do we prepare for it?
What can't we do?
We can't stop our loved ones from getting hurt or dying. We can't stop time or stop the pain of loss. We can't forsee disasters or emergencies. We can't control our government, other people, the weather, or our circumstances.
Word has it our country in for a major financial disaster soon. There is unrest everywhere in the world.
BUT, I know from experience that a person can live through hardship or tragedy and come out a better person, stronger and better equipped for life – the life they must learn how to live without whatever/whomever they have lost.
What can we do?
There are things we can do to survive and ANYTHING…and even thrive.
We can prepare ourselves emotionally, physically, spiritually. Do you have all your ducks in a row?
- Get your finances in order – pay off debt and get your spending under control. Have an emergency fund. PLAN ahead.
- Find out who God is. Really find out. He can supernaturally carry us through the darkest days.
- Treasure everyone who means anything to you. Don't stay away for any reason. Life is short and it passes quicker than you realize. One day you will get a call and it will be too late. Work is good but it's not everything. It will still be there after you go fishing with your son or shopping with your sister or hang out at your parents house. Help your mom in her garden, it will lift both of your spirits. (hint, hint my children)
- Treat others with respect. Regret is a bugger. You will some day need a support system. Develop and strengthen your relationships.
- Eat right, get enough sleep, know your limitations but strive for the best – not OK or good, but the best. Take care of your health, quit your vices, focus on what is important. Care about doing right and follow through.
- Don't dwell on the negative, disappointments, problems or sinful thoughts. Debi Pryde once gave me a tip: Don't dwell, if you have a problem think about it for 5 minutes, decide what you will do about it and then move on. Dwelling never helps and can cause other problems. I have found this to be good advice.
- Only get biblical counseling – man's opinions differ but the Word of God is solid and trustworthy.
- Set goals. Make lists. Accomplish. Get organized.
- Find out who you are and be that person. Seriously. Many years I fit the mold that others made. I don't do that any more. Be the best YOU that you can be. Develop good character and a good reputation. Live clean. Don't break your mother's heart by living riotously and hurting your family name. But realize, always, that your mother still loves you, regardless.
If you are prepared, when tragedy strikes you will have the strength to get through anything. Strive for a solid foundation with confidence in yourself and your support system. God should not be an afterthought. Put Him in your life so He will be there when you need Him. Put your support system in place now.
Alone is not fun. Alone is bad. Alone stinks. None of us needs to be alone.
We won't be alone if we prepare.
8×10 printable (just click and save), take to your favorite photo printing
place and then frame it. It will be a good reminder.
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." II Corinthians 1:3, 4
