Lara Love's Good News Daily Devotional
You are at:»»The Sting of Loss

The Sting of Loss

147
By on Uncategorized
I huddle up in my old purple sweatshirt in the early morning chill, window wide open to let in the spring air as the birds tweet away, fan humming in its endless circles, never going anywhere but ever blowing the day around, and around, laptop where it belongs, on my lap, and ouch. The sting of loss. Day after day, I sidled up with my laptop, my Bible, my steaming oatmeal in thermal cups beside me, my sweet blessing of a dog on the other side. Jake. Even as he marched on toward heaven as bone cancer ate away at his rear knee, as pain chased after him, as age pursued him, Jake lay by my side. Side by side.

When he could no longer get up on the bed, his favorite place to be, as close to mommy as he could possibly be, I scooted myself down to the floor. I moved my “little office” of laptop, Bible, and oatmeal right beside him. Side by side, we sat on the dog bed together. And I got to tell the world about Jesus through my writing, as Jake made his way toward heaven. And now I sit back on my bed, looking down at where his dog bed was only two days ago. No Jake. No, Jake is with Jesus.

My sweet Jake, with his nose in the Bible,
weeks before he went to heaven to wait for me there…….

And I am, with tears flooding my eyes and pain piercing my heart, still telling the world about Jesus. Because there are only two things I know to do when loss stings. When loss tears away at my heart. I can surrender to the loss, or I can surrender to the Lord. I can give my heart to the loss to consume me, or I can give my heart to the Lord. I can be swallowed up in grief, and I have known much grief in my life, or I can be swallowed up in the love of the Lord. I have lived most of my life in the former. Today, I choose the latter. I choose the Lord.


This does not mean that loss does not continue to sting, and that grief does not continue to bear down on me. This does not mean that hurt does not come at me in waves, and tears, and sadness. No, of course not. Loss has its sting. But when I put my hurt, and I put my heart, in the hands of the Lord, His mercy, His grace, His comfort, and above all else His love, remind me of this.

When I was a child, I sat right on a bee. And oh how it stung. I jumped up in pain and danced around with a shout, from what I can recall. Oh, the sting of the bee! Loss has its sting, but the sting is temporal. It is ephemeral. There is one who is forever. The one who offers eternal life to those who repent of their sins and believe He, the Son of God, died on the cross and rose again. It is in Him I place my trust, my faith, my heart, and yes, even my loss.

And for all the loss I have endured, most recently of my precious dog Jake, the loss is nothing when compared with the immeasurable gain of Christ – of eternal life with the Lord. Where tears will not reign, where loss will be no longer, and where I will bow down before the most beloved one I have gained. The Lord!

I can only imagine my sweet Jake, my dear Red, my Beckles with Speckles, and Billie, and Angel Gabriel and Mother Theresa and Sweetie Pies, and Abigail, and Punky, and Joshua, and St. Francis, and all my other beloved dogs, are running around with Jesus waving their paws at me from heaven. Reminding me, loss hurts, and how it hurts.

But the Lord is greater than loss. And He is forever. And one day I will be with Him, forever. In the meantime, He is with me as I carry on – not drowning in the loss, but rising up in His strength to continue telling the world. Repent, and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For no loss can compare with the everlasting beauty of spending eternity with the Lord!

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 ESV
“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11
“…and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”” Mark 1:15 NASB

Please visit Walk by Faith Ministry at https://www.walkbyfaithministry.com.

147 Comments

  1. Noemi on

    Greetings! Very useful advice within this post!
    It’s the little changes that produce the largest changes.
    Thanks a lot for sharing!

  2. Wilmer on

    Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could
    be giving us something enlightening to read?

  4. Verla on

    Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs?

    I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share
    some stories/information. I know my visitors would value your work.
    If you are even remotely interested, feel free
    to send me an e-mail.

  5. Darrin on

    It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this superb blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed
    to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk
    about this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  6. Silva on

    Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared tobe on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about.You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people couldtake a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  8. Barry on

    wonderful points altogether, you just received a emblem new reader.What could you suggest in regards to your submit thatyou made a few days ago? Any certain?

  10. Gilda on

    Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses?
    If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?

    I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.

  16. Nikia on

    You actually make it appear so easy together withyour presentation however I find this topic to be really something whichI think I would by no means understand. It sort of feelstoo complicated and very wide for me. I am having alook forward on your next put up, I’ll attempt to get the cling of it!

  18. Corina on

    Wonderful blog you have here but I was curious about if
    you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about here?
    I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get feed-back from other knowledgeable people that share
    the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please
    let me know. Thanks a lot!

  20. Loren on

    My brother recommended I may like this website.He was totally right. This put up actually made my day.You cann’t believe simply how so much time I had spent for this info!Thank you!

  21. Charolette on

    I am curious to find out what blog platform you are working with?
    I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest website and I’d like
    to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?

  22. Roberto on

    It is perfect time to make some plans for the long run and it is time to be happy.I have learn this submit and if I may just I desire to recommend you few interesting things orsuggestions. Maybe you can write next articles regardingthis article. I wish to read more things approximately it!

  24. Gavin on

    I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting!
    Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve added you guys to my personal blogroll.

  25. Denny on

    Hello friends, how is all, and what you wish for to say concerning thispiece of writing, in my view its in fact remarkable in support of me.

  26. Earnest on

    Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of myprevious roommate! He constantly kept talking aboutthis. I will send this information to him.Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  27. Kent on

    Your style is so unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from.I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.

  29. Athena on

    With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My website has a lot of unique content I’ve
    either created myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping
    it up all over the internet without my agreement. Do you know any techniques to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d certainly
    appreciate it.

  30. Sabrina on

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this boardand I to find It really helpful & it helped meout much. I am hoping to provide something back and aid others likeyou helped me.

  31. Florene on

    I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this site.
    I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from
    you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has
    encouraged me to get my own, personal blog now ;
    )

  32. Rosemary on

    Great work! That is the kind of info that should be sharedacross the internet. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this post upper!Come on over and seek advice from my web site . Thanks =)

  52. Marvella Satunas on

    Dead composed subject matter, appreciate it for selective information. “The bravest thing you can do when you are not brave is to profess courage and act accordingly.” by Corra Harris.

  53. Keila Ganguli on

    Thanks, I’ve recently been looking for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have discovered till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the supply?

  55. Cyril Ellens on

    I do trust all of the ideas you have offered to your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for beginners. May just you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

  56. Cristobal Strief on

    Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such great information being shared freely out there.

  57. Barney Macrae on

    Normally I do not learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great article.

  58. Emilie Milne on

    It’s truly a nice and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  59. Dacia Hayslett on

    hello!,I like your writing so a lot! proportion we communicate more approximately your post on AOL? I require an expert on this area to unravel my problem. May be that’s you! Taking a look ahead to look you.

  63. best baby toys on

    It’s unique to find an expert through whom you would have several trustworthiness. On this planet with the current economic week, none of us realistically cares about presenting others the result in such an subjecttopic. Precisely how fortuitous I’m sure having clearly spotted actually outstanding blog because. It’s individuals like you whom develop serious difference nowadays over the ideas which they explain.

  65. Lorene Stain on

    Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my friend were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a book from our area library but I think I learned better from this post. I am very glad to see such wonderful info being shared freely out there…

  67. Mozell Ehrke on

    You have remarked very interesting points ! ps decent website . “Do not quench your inspiration and your inmagination do not become the slave of your model.” by Vincent Van Gogh.

  70. tinyurl.com on

    I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether
    this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty.
    You are wonderful! Thanks!

  71. tinyurl.com on

    Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before
    but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m definitely happy I came across it and I’ll
    be book-marking it and checking back often!

  73. t.co on

    all the time i used to read smaller content which as well
    clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of
    writing which I am reading now.

  74. t.co on

    I know this web site offers quality dependent content and additional data, is there any other web page which gives such things in quality?

  76. tinyurl.com on

    That is really interesting, You are an excessively skilled blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and look forward to looking for more of your fantastic post.
    Additionally, I’ve shared your web site in my social
    networks

  77. tinyurl.com on

    Everything is very open with a very clear description of the issues.

    It was definitely informative. Your site is very helpful.
    Thanks for sharing!

  78. flight booking on

    hello!,I like your writing very much! share we be in contact more
    approximately your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this area to solve my problem.
    Maybe that is you! Having a look forward to peer
    you.

  84. cheap one way airline tickets on

    Hello there, I do believe your website could be having web browser compatibility issues.
    Whenever I look at your web site in Safari,
    it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues.

    I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!

    Apart from that, great site!

  85. affordable airfare on

    Howdy terrific website! Does running a blog similar to this take a
    lot of work? I’ve very little understanding of
    programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near
    future. Anyway, should you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share.
    I understand this is off topic however I simply had to ask.
    Many thanks!

  87. tinyurl.com on

    Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.
    I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will eventually
    come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great writing, have a
    nice weekend!

  88. tinyurl.com on

    I am curious to find out what blog system you happen to be working with?
    I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest website and I
    would like to find something more secure. Do you have any recommendations?

  89. http://tinyurl.com/ on

    I really love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme.
    Did you develop this website yourself? Please reply back
    as I’m hoping to create my own personal website and would like to learn where you got
    this from or just what the theme is named.
    Cheers!

  92. http://tinyurl.com on

    Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I
    could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same
    blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  93. http://tinyurl.com/ on

    Good day I am so delighted I found your weblog, I really found you by error, while I was researching
    on Aol for something else, Anyhow I am here
    now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and
    a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have
    time to read through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the fantastic b.

  94. tinyurl.com on

    Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site
    thus i got here to go back the prefer?.I’m trying to in finding issues to improve my
    website!I suppose its good enough to use some of your concepts!!

  95. tinyurl.com on

    whoah this weblog is wonderful i like reading your articles.
    Keep up the good work! You recognize, a lot of persons are hunting around for this info, you can aid them greatly.

  97. tinyurl.com on

    With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My site has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it
    appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help
    protect against content from being stolen? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  101. Joe Ingrim on

    hi!,I love your writing so much! percentage we keep up a correspondence extra about your post on AOL? I need a specialist in this area to unravel my problem. May be that’s you! Taking a look forward to see you.

  102. Madie Bridgeman on

    Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, appreciate it. “Be not careless in deeds, nor confused in words, nor rambling in thought.” by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

  104. tinyurl.com on

    My brother suggested I might like this website. He was entirely right.
    This post actually made my day. You can not imagine
    simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  105. bellarosa.com.br on

    Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your
    web site in web explorer, may test this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a big part of other people will pass over your excellent writing due to this problem.

  106. tinyurl.com on

    Great post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!

    Very useful info specially the final phase 🙂 I take care of such information a
    lot. I was looking for this certain information for a long time.

    Thank you and best of luck.

  107. tinyurl.com on

    Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to
    say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
    In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  108. tinyurl.com on

    I every time used to study post in news papers but now as I am a user of net therefore from now I am using net for articles or
    reviews, thanks to web.

  109. tracfone on

    Generally I don’t learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do it!
    Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice post.

    my webpage tracfone

  110. tinyurl.com on

    Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn. That is an extremely
    neatly written article. I will make sure to bookmark it
    and return to read extra of your useful information. Thank you
    for the post. I will certainly comeback.

  111. tinyurl.com on

    Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness
    in your post is just cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.

  112. http://tinyurl.com on

    It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few
    interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next
    articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!

  114. special on

    Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
    Very useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much.
    I was looking for this certain information for a very long time.
    Thank you and good luck.

    My web site special

  115. coupon on

    I just like the helpful info you supply on your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again here regularly.
    I’m relatively certain I will be informed lots of new stuff proper here!
    Good luck for the following!

    Also visit my blog; coupon

Leave A Reply