Counting the cost of Loss

Welcome my friend! Let’s grab our cuppa’s & get comfy for our time of reflection together.

Today I have a tea blend called Original Chai & a slice of my husband’s birthday cake, a gf Carrot cake with cream cheese icing, delicious.

I’ve had one of those mornings, you know the ones where you wake up in the early hours of the morn & can’t get back to sleep.

You realize it’s pointless staying there, so you get up.

Then God gave me a little tap, so to speak, on my spiritual shoulder…

You see I couldn’t sleep because I was in quite a bit of pain physically & had some things leaping & jumping through my mind.

The question of Being 

I’ve learnt that when God gives you a little tap on your spiritual shoulder it’s time to take notice.

Before I go into what that tap was about, a little background is needed; as I shared last week I’ve been experiencing a flare in my chronic health conditions since early January.

Thus, I have to choose wisely what I can do & what I can’t do on any given day, some days its a matter of just doing my best at home.

While other days I may be able to venture further afield with a walk along the waterfront around the corner from my home.

Many times though, its having to postpone, cancel or change previous arrangements to cater for the fatigue & malaise on that day.

You see before I was diagnosed, seventeen years ago, God asked me a very poignant question through my devotional time; was I comfortable being with Him, not just doing for Him.

At that time I replied a resounding, yes!

For life was good I was healthy & busy with my profession, enjoying time with family, friends & doing for Him.

Looking back I really had no idea what He was preparing me for, as I simply had no comprehension what this Season would entail.

My theme of the year

My theme for this year is Season, I have been wondering what God would reveal to me through this theme.

My first thought was maybe, just maybe this season of chronic health conditions will end with a miracle in healing, as there is no cure for these autoimmune conditions.

But then a flare hit in early January continuing to the present.

Thus this morning when I was asked that same question through my devotions; am I comfortable being with God in this Season?

I had to stop & reflect…

Thinking if God’s asking me this question again then He obviously wants me to take a good look at how I’m feeling in this season.

I haven’t been as quick to answer this time as I was before.

Because I realise through experience that I need to examine how I’m actually travelling.

There is always a reason why God brings something to our attention.

So I’m pondering the following;

Am I really comfortable spiritually in this season in my life?

Because comfort comes from a sense of trust, peace & well being. Doesn’t it?

And; Am I recognising the blessings in my life as well as the loss?

For it’s the blessings that come from Him that bring the greatest sense of peace & well being.

Now my spiritual self instantly wanted to reply; ‘Of course I’m comfortable being in God’s presence no matter what my circumstances, for God Himself is the blessing!’

Counting the cost

But I realise there is a cost to every loss & with chronic health conditions come many losses.

We need to count the cost of loss & process that cost emotionally.

Something our Missiology mentor at Bible College often advised us to do when contemplating God’s Will in our life.

Echoing Jesus words;

And He said to all, 

“If anyone chooses to follow Me, let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily

 [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] 

and follow Me

[cleaving steadfastly to Me,

conforming to My example in living and,

if need be in dying also].” 

Luke 9: 23

We need to recognise the blessings that come out of loss, for they often are the greatest blessings that we can receive, as shared HERE.

For God has promised the following;

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare not disaster but a future full of hope.”

Jeremiah 29: 11

Are you comfortable in your present season my friend?

May we all focus on the blessings we have as we count the cost.

Until next time,

Jennifer 

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or 

In Prayer

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