Lost and Found

There’s a beautiful, glorious gift that comes to us in the midst of our ugliest, most excruciating suffering and pain: a deeper intimacy with God, a stronger sensitivity to His presence, a greater awareness of His power at work in us. And a dramatic shift in our perspective and priorities. As Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom once said, “You never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” Through their grief and pain and loss, Corrie and countless others testify to this powerful truth: “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” 

None of us want to learn this the hard way, but sometimes the hard way seems to be the only way. And it’s worth it. It’s worth losing all we have to find all we need in Him. 

Just as Christ’s sufferings are ours in abundance [as they overflow to His followers], so also our comfort [our reassurance, our encouragement, our consolation] is abundant through Christ [it is truly more than enough to endure what we must]. II Corinthians 1:5 AMP 

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Psalm 23:4 NLT 

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:50 NIV 

You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. Matthew 5:4 THE MESSAGE 

Lord Jesus, draw me close to You. Hold me in my grief and pain. Comfort me in my loss with Your great love. Lift my gaze. Let me see Your face. 

This is an excerpt from 100 Days of Hope & Encouragement – a devotional journal now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.