Untangling Hurts and Losses
My husband gave me a beautiful diamond necklace for Christmas one year. After wearing it the first time, instead of hanging it up on a hook in my jewelry chest, I hurriedly dropped it into a drawer with a poodle dog label pin.
When I wanted to wear the necklace again, I reached in the drawer for it only to discover that it was tangled around the poodle dog’s neck. In a hurry, I left it there and reached for a diamond necklace that my Mother had given me several years before.
Upon returning home, I took off the necklace, and once again in a hurry, threw it in the same drawer with the poodle dog label pin, and my other tangled up diamond necklace.
Later, I discovered that the two necklaces were now all tangled up together around the poodle dog’s neck.
Discouraged at such a big tangled-up mess, I left them that way for several years. When I realized that I was not getting any enjoyment out of either of my diamond necklaces, I had to sit down and untangle them piece-by-piece.
I submit that that is what happens to us when we experience hurts and losses in our life. Because we are in a hurry, or in some cases, just don’t know how to grieve through each loss as it occurs, we begin to accumulate losses that get all tangled up together.
LOSS - it is a simple word, yet one of our constant companions in life. Nobody likes to lose; it hurts to lose. We prefer to be winners, but unfortunately, everyone suffers losses – there are no exceptions.
While losses may vary in intensity or degrees, the consequence of pain is the same. It is the pain that the Lord wants to heal. As He says in His word:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. (Luke 4:18 KJV)
Untangling hurts and losses may take awhile, which is why we can safely say that healing is a process. However, the beautiful picture that begins to unfold in our lives as we untangle each loss and grieve each one separately is two-fold:
1. We begin to enjoy life again
2. Out of the comfort God has comforted us, we then have a desire to go forth and comfort others during their time of loss.
One sobering thought to remember: emotional healing won’t be complete until we meet Jesus on the other side. In the meantime, grieve through each loss as it comes into your life; don’t wait until they get all tangled up.
Personal Reflections
1. Name losses in your life in which you have not received healing? A good way to tell is ask yourself, what still sticks and pricks me to even talk about it.
2. How does Luke 4:18 apply to you and the losses you have experienced?
3. Are you ready to untangle your and get started down the road to possess your specific loss? If so, what do you believe your first step should be?
Goal Setting and Sharing
List 3 goals that you would like to accomplish at home, work, with family, etc. that will allow you to receive emotional and spiritual healing.
CREATED WOMAN AGUST LINE UP: HEALING/SELF-CARE
Self-care is not selfish!
Self-care most often requires us to take steps towards understanding our hurts, disappointments, griefs, or life transitions. It’s not selfish, it’s a necessity. For you and the ones who are around you.
August theme is all about self-care. Yes, it might actually be called ‘Healing’ but aren’t they the same?
We believe we cannot be our best self unless we embrace the beauty of God’s healing power. By walking through and in His grace, we experience healing, strength, peace and restoration ultimately bringing life to others in our family and community.
Don’t walk alone, your tribe is right here and we want to walk beside you.
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV):When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Podcasts
August 13th, Marcie Elliott-Smith, Dreams never die Pt. 3
August 27th, Stacy McVane, Hustle To Healing
Weekly Devotionals every Monday & Wednesday:
- Heal Yo' Self Before You Wreck Yo' Self
- Untangling Hurts & Losses
- Raise A Hallelujah
- The Fine Art Of Healing Slowly
- Girls Gone Loose
- The Overwhelming Fear I thought Would Never End
- Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired