Loss is real.
Unavoidable.
Painful.
It always seems to show up when are least expecting it. Our culture’s definition of loss has evolved to include nearly everything and society never misses an opportunity to let us know that we are behind. Six people liked your Instagram photo – loss. Overlooked for that promotion- loss. Missed the bus – loss. Didn’t wake up flawless- loss. By the end of the day, we have taken so many L’s that we’ve been to Brooklyn and back… twice. Just when we think we’ve made it; here comes a new norm, trend or status achievement to aspire to. How can we be victorious when they continue to move the goal? Simple. By redefining what it means to win. In order to live undefeated, losing must be redefined. Here are three things to consider when determining victory.
Measure Accurately
Why are we carrying burdens that are not meant for us? As Christians, the basic principles of this world simply do not apply to us. Yes, we are still required to pay our taxes and submit to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7). However, we cannot base our successes or failures on the world’s standards. That would be like comparing apples with oranges or The College Dropout with The Life of Pablo. It is counterproductive. It won’t get us anywhere except missing the old Kanye.
Since our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), we are called to a higher standard; our perspective must be an eternal one. The word of God is our measure. It is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean and true. By His word God revives souls, makes the simple wise, make joyful hearts, enlightens eyes and molds us into righteousness (Psalm 19:7-9). In Christ, we are no longer bound by the expectations of this world. We are free to live in a way that God defines as prosperous. Only an accurate measure can yield accurate results.
Nothing Wasted
One of the definitions of loss is a failure to utilize. While the storehouses of heaven are full, God is not wasteful. He will use every obstacle, painful experience and disappointment for our good and His glory. This is beautifully illustrated in John’s account of Jesus feeding the 5,000. “When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted (John 6:12).”’ God is gathering all the insignificant, dirty, hard, broken pieces of our lives. There is no detail He doesn’t care about. It all matters. It all will be used.
What you are going through is not random. God is not surprised by your situation. Struggles turn into stumbling blocks when we focus on the problem and take our eyes off God. We cannot get distracted trying to find the reason or solution. His plans, thoughts, and ways are ABOVE ours. Trust that God is who He says He is. Trust that God is working all things together for your good. Trust that nothing is wasted. Trust that even the things that we have lost, are not counted as a loss when it comes to their usefulness in the hands of God.
Cost Determines Value
The amount that the cost of an object exceeds its selling price is considered a loss. Tell me how much you’re willing to pay and I’ll tell you what it’s worth. These days, I don’t know anyone who pays full price for anything. Personally, I buy food depending on if it’s on sale or if the cashier will honor my expired coupons. We all want the maximum output for the minimum input. While this approach may benefit our finances, it has a way of flowing into our attitude toward God. We want the return without making the investment. The Bible (our measure) offers no such deal- complete surrender is required. Take it or leave it. No refunds. No exchanges.
Jesus said, “Anyone who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:33).” This is one of those Scriptures you read quickly, don’t write down, and pretend you haven’t seen. We want to say “Yes Lord, you can have everything,” but instead of giving Him everything, we hold onto the car, the plans, the resentment that He so lovingly asks us to hand over. Before we realize it, we have rattled off a list of demands to God in the form of specifics. When we do this, we are trading the truth for a lie; worshipping the things God created instead of the Creator Himself.
Matthew Henry sums it up this way: “Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ that is the price at which Satan buys their souls.”
God doesn’t need anything. He wants everything. Let us hold on to truth and hold lightly to all else.
The cross is the ultimate symbol of loss redefined. There Jesus with an eternal perspective, believing that God would use every drop of his pain, surrendered everything for us. When we look to the cross we see our true value. Perhaps you feel like life has handed you a loss. Perhaps, as you have been reading this, your reality feels like it has an uncertain future or an unfair amount of sacrifice. Perhaps you’ve taken a lot of L’s in the last few years. No matter how out of reach your future may feel, it is important for you to know that in Christ you are victorious. You were worth the pain, humiliation, and sacrifice of the cross. No decision is beyond God’s ability to work things out for your good. The measure of your victory is Christ in you. I invite you to take an L and lose yourself in Him.
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for me will find it (Matthew 16:25).” This is victory, sweet victory!
Courtney is a School Business Administrator. She enjoys learning, working out, sports and going to the movies with her nephew. Courtney aspires to share her experiences and the transformative power of Christ with others.
