I’ve learned it’s so easy to focus more on our losses in the past that we lose sight of any spiritual gain in the future.I firmly believe that gains and losses are a necessary part of life. I also believe that when professing and practicing Christians lose, God has a plan and way of restoring or replacing what we’ve lost with something better and more valuable. Usually, it requires an attitude adjustment on our part before we can attempt to make sense out of what we’ve experienced in terms of loss.
Additionally, if we don’t assess the gains as being more valuable than what we lost, from God’s perspective, we may never realize this truth; and we certainly won’t appreciate the goodness and sovereignty of God. Why? Because we’re too focused on our loss; we are crying hopelessly and looking backward rather than forward to the possibilities of having better and being greater in God.
Also, I am persuaded to believe the greater concern we have is with a carnal analysis of what we define as gains in comparison to what we consider loss. Unfortunately, our analyses are calculated from a worldly system of operation and thought based on past personal experiences and present unpleasant circumstances. If we itemize our losses and gains from a worldly system rather than a Kingdom view, we can be easily deceived into believing God is not trustworthy, and is out to destroy us. (That’s a lie from the father of lies!). Consequently, we itemize our gains and losses from a faulty and unstable system rather than align with God’s way of operation. No, it doesn’t mean our losses are unimportant nor have no value to God. However, it does means that God sees beyond the here and now. Remember, God’s thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). So often what is valuable to us, based on our limited knowledge and understanding, has no real value in the Kingdom, and is useless when it comes to fulfilling God’s purposes.
For example, Apostle Paul came to a point in his life when he made an analysis of his gains and losses. He itemized using the same value system as God. Paraphrasing, he said in Philippians 3:7-11, what were his assets (gains) he wrote them off as a loss. Why? Because what was most valuable to him was gaining Christ… having Christ…knowing Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the participation in his sufferings. Sufferings! Are you serious? No one wants to suffer, right? Obviously, Paul viewed all the suffering he endured for the sake of Christ as gain! That was Paul’s mindset. What about you and me? What are we willing to lose so that we might gain for Christ’s sake?
Sadly, too many Christians fall apart and panic when they experience loss of materials items. No one should deny the truth that it hurts to lose stuff… even loved ones. I know the pain of separation! It hurts to lose anything you consider as valuable; especially life. But what can be gained? A more constant and consistent prayer life, deeper trust and dependency on Christ to sustain, increased faith that looks to God for provisions, better stewardship practices, a greater witness to the faithfulness and peace of God during life’s storm, greater commitment to the work of ministry and helping others in need. God gives you so much more in place of what you lost when you trust Him as your Source.
Beloved reader, remember it’s so easy to focus more on our losses in the past that we lose sight of any spiritual gain in the future. Also, like Apostle Paul, we haven’t been perfected yet, but let’s press forward and grab hold of what God desires for us. Let’s press in to get to that place where God is calling us to reach in Christ Jesus. Let’s not focus on our past losses, and what we’ve left behind so much that we miss what God wants to do in our lives now, and what He has destined for your future.
Moving forward on the path to promise,
Share with your friends:
MAJESTIC LITERARY MINISTRY 