February 21
"Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous...So Paul warned them, 'Men, I can see our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.' But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there..." -Acts 27:9-12 (NIV)
Life is full of many things beyond our control. Loss is one of them. There are different losses in life! Some are minor and some steal joy in life. Some losses are painful like the loss of a good friend who moved or the dearth of a parent or loved one. Minor losses are fixable, like losing a few workdays when sick or discovering our car has a dent in it. Minor losses can be redeemed or mended but major ones can impact the rest of our life.
Have you ever experienced a loss that affected you deeply? Paul gave warning of a great loss to come in Acts 27 but those in charge ignored him and shipwreck followed. With God's guidance, Paul had predicted this disaster and warned his shipmates not to sail on in winter. However, the ship's captain didn't want to spend the winter in the harbor, so he took a chance. At first the weather was good but then a deadly storm arose, and the ship was destroyed. Although there was loss and injury, no one was died because Paul prayed to a God who could help them. This is a good reminder for us to not ever rely solely on our own wisdom or skills in potential loss, but to turn to God who can prevent or redeem our losses and change them into benefits. When we learn to trust God with all our losses, we are manifesting true faith. By doing so, we trust He has a purpose for our pain, a reason for our struggles, and a reward for our faithfulness. When bad things happen, remember your Lord is always just a prayer away. So, hold fast to your faith, trust fully in Him, pray in all circumstances, and be thankful for God's grace. Then allow Christ's love and faithfulness to shine through and transform all the losses in your life into benefits and new blessings!
Prayer: Lord, Thank you for guidance in all my losses. Amen.
Meditation For The Day: God can transform loss to gain!
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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