Devotionals

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Dealing With Loss

You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.

--Psalm 18:39 (NLT)

Terri and Michael Sinclair returned from their vacation to find their house had been broken into. When the damages and stolen property were assessed, their losses exceeded more than $90,000.

The couple was so upset. They reported being unable to eat, sleep or work thinking about the senseless destruction of property and their loss. As the police left their presence, they told the couple that the amount of vandalism had grown significantly in their area. This also adds to their anxiety. To help them deal with their loss, Terri and Michael called on their pastor.

“Pastor,” they said. “What can we do so as not to spend a great deal of time thinking about the crime committed against us? We came to you because we’ve learned that you experienced the same instance of property vandalism too.”

“It’s hard to not think about what has just happened to you. What I did was to replace these negative thoughts with thoughts focused on God. I wrote these thoughts down referring to them every time negative thoughts came to mind. I will give them to you:

 Lord, help me forgive those who violated my life.
 Lord, help me focus on the blessings You have given me.
 Lord, help me to go on living my life in spirit and in truth.
 Lord, help me continue my prayer-filled life for friends and foes.
 Lord, help guide me towards the protection of Your armor and shield.
Psychologists have found through years of empirical research that humanity can only
focus on one thought at a time. When one focuses on those things of God, a person will learn that there is no opportunity for negative thoughts.

Prayer: Almighty God, when situations do not go my way coax me to Your side and protection
to comfort me.


Stephen A. Peterson
© 2012

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