Care and Discipleship Mentor Training
  • HOME
    • About
  • Receive Care
  • Training
    • Care and Discipleship Mentor Training
    • One-Another Care Course for Women
  • Resources
  • Blog

Thankful for Loss

11/24/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful, but also a time that reminds me of loss in my life. Can one be thankful amidst loss? I believe we can, and should be thankful even in hard times.

Harder question - can one be thankful FOR loss? 

It was Thanksgiving season when I experienced the loss of my first child.

It was Thanksgiving season when my family made a hard decision about moving to a new church due to some heartbreaking circumstances.

It was Thanksgiving season when my mom's health started to decline quickly due to bone marrow cancer that took her life.

Thanksgiving starts the holiday season, which is a yearly reminder of the broken relationships and brokenness in general in my family.

I can be thankful THROUGH all of these circumstances and memories. But can I be thankful FOR them? Yes. In Romans 8:28 God says that He works all things together for good. It is a promise that has held true in my life, and in yours even when you don't see it.

The loss of my first child ultimately led me to come to know Jesus. I was without hope when she died, and that began a search for answers that led me to salvation 7 years later. I am thankful.

Moving churches brought new friendships, support, encouragement and opportunities to serve as we learned to call a new church "home". I am thankful.

My mom's death was a difficult loss. Through that season, I learned much about God's sovereignty. He holds eternity in His hands, and He knows. I am thankful.

Every loss I have suffered as a mom has been an opportunity to learn much more about God's grace. Were it not for the grace He has extended to this undeserving sinner, I would not be able to extend it to my family. I am thankful.

We can be thankful for our losses, not because they make US stronger but because they reveal our weakness and need for Jesus. As we surrender our will and life to Him, we are transformed and made closer to His image. 

Our losses are intended for our good, and for God's glory. They lead us to hope!

Are you thankful amidst and for your struggles this Thanksgiving?

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame.” Romans 5:3–5
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    All posts are written by Ellen Castillo unless noted otherwise.

    The archives of previous posts reflect many years of ministry.  I have changed or grown in some of the views portrayed here...we should all be growing! But my heart for caring for those in the church who are suffering or caught up in difficult struggles has never changed.   Ellen

    Archives

    March 2024
    January 2023
    July 2022
    March 2022
    July 2020
    June 2018
    January 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    October 2012
    August 2012
    May 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
    • About
  • Receive Care
  • Training
    • Care and Discipleship Mentor Training
    • One-Another Care Course for Women
  • Resources
  • Blog